A Turning Point in Paintball History: The NPPL's Demise

[@chrismartin5156]

We’re witnessing a transformation in your video content from standard (but always highly entertaining) reviews to top tier immersive content with outstanding professional-level production value, editing, and pacing. The meticulous level of detail in the research, polished storytelling, and countless hours invested in the final product shines through in every frame. Truly impressive.

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Wow, thanks!

[@tyleralphonso199]

@@PaintballRuinedMyLife what this guy said ^ lol

[@scottkoch5896]

Agreed. I don’t have much of a stomach for the super cringe paintball content on KZbin nowadays. But this is the kind of stuff that guys who have been around since the early 2000’s want to see

[@imjustinb]

Yeah what he said!

[@allanphangofficial]

+1000

[@Cody2nd]

Keep the paintball history coming. Start from the beginning with its history with photos, magazine ads, movies, etc etc. make a whole documentary dude.

[@XRKNIFEANDTOOL]

So knife and normal gun guy here. These history videos are getting me into THIS sport, flat out I didn’t have as much interest in playing it until I learned abt it’s history in a really good and well presented way. So thank you. And I assure you the more you guys make this history known the more people will truly learn to appreciate all of its progress which has been awesome!

[@chuckmadden18]

As a knife and gun guy myself, I started playing paintball before I could buy a knife or gun. It’s a great sport with many ways to play. I prefer speedball style myself.

[@XRKNIFEANDTOOL]

@@chuckmadden18 dude speed ball looks awesome, honestly knowing the sport started out with woods work and camo and all that and grew into things like speed ball makes the whole thing special and unique and fun

[@NitroMerlin]

Coming back into the sport after being out for like 15 years, your videos are explaining to me what the collapse of paintball looked like and that I was actually playing in the glory days of paintball in 2004-2005

[@alexmiller9417]

Dude, me too! The banded markers one really got it rolling for me. I remember being at an airball field in like 2005 and seeing a bod long intimidator for the first time🤯 im now googling the closest fields haha

[@proraptor4146]

It was cool to live through this time period, I started off with a brass eagle raptor and ended up with some angels, bushmasters, and dye dm7....the good old days...keep up the great work

[@jamessutton4690]

This was a good video. A lot of nostalgia. I'm glad to have been there for the whole ride.

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Same here!

[@natehanneman6763]

I’m seriously loving this new PBRML. I could seriously watch an hour+ long doc. Fantastic editing and story telling. Great friggin job my man!

[@dschwenning]

This video was top-notch! As the others have already stated, the work that went into this video really shows. Story telling and production value really shine through. Well done Brad

[@BlackCoffeeGeneral]

These docs are so dope. I was 16/18 around this time and had no understanding of anything let alone these complexities. Watching the sport again makes this that much more interesting

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Thank you, sir. I’m learning a bunch on the way too.

[@vegard2000]

The shoddy aluminum and anodizing work on the blue dynasty shocker brings back some memories.

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Funny how it became cool, dudes rubbing their guns for hours to make it look old lol

[@johntrek187]

Xball when it debuted at the IAO with the different countries was awesome. Glad I got to witness that. Hey glad somebodies FINALLY doing paintball history. This needed to be done.

[@thepumpchumppp]

ty for these history lessons. ive been around paintball for 15+ years and never knew these things

[@publicproclaimer9724]

You have got to do more videos like this It makes the story of paintball way more interesting and will bring a lot of interest to the Sport! Do more!

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

More coming!

[@Somedorc]

You’re really good at these essay style videos. Make a million of them please.

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Thank you! Let’s go maybe around 100,000 though.

[@MattTheGymRat]

Always a good day when Brad post. Great video brother 💪

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

🙏

[@mezrre4630]

God I miss early-2000s paintball era. Im just glad i was at the right age to enjoy the uncapped semi tourney days.

[@FormerGovernmentHuman]

I remember watching Dynasty and I think all americans play in the finals on ESPN while I was on a ski vacation in steamboat springs colorado thinking this was the moment one of my favorite sports was going legit and would be officially recognized. I had been into paintball for a few years at this point, I think i was 12 or 13. But it never happened, in fact I think that was the one and only time I saw paintball on national television.

[@theoriginaldashriprock]

You have to understand that 99.95% of the population doesn't play paintball, nor carry anything about it. Paintballers should just play the game they love and leave it at that and not expect the world to roll out the red carpet for them. Not going to happen.

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

There is no way it’s 99.95%, it must be higher.

[@pumpbustersv1]

The Smart Parts event, Dynasty v Naughty Dogs maybe? Super similar story, my field had Dynasties B team practice there, so I was UNGODLY hyped as a 13 year old watching some of the guys I'd seen in person get to arguably paintballs biggest stage ever.

[@theoriginaldashriprock]

@@pumpbustersv1 and looking back on it, you now realize it really wasn't that big a deal after all.

[@LA_Breakerz]

​@@pumpbustersv1 XSV

[@wilesmedia]

THIS PLEASE! I could watch this 100x and still love it!

[@joshburns6101]

Just want to say, your r5 review brought me to your channel. The story content kept me here. I’d recommend continuing gun reviews. Keep up the great work

[@crewcabanger0]

these types of videos make me want to play paintball again!!!

[@tylerharris1085]

Thoroughly enjoyed that, fantastic video!

[@virtual_balboa]

Wild times, really interesting there's been so many leagues vs just one pro league like other sports. Also that photo of Greenspan Brad took is awesome

[@Mrevo599]

this is the kid of content i absolutely love. great job!!! I miss these days. the mid 2000s was a fucking time to be there

[@VintagePaintball]

It was quite the ride! Thanks Brad.

[@drewtempleton]

This video was so well done. Love seeing you put in the time to do the dd to make a well informed and entertaining piece that shows off some history. Ps MW WHAT @ 10:21

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

I don’t get the timestamp lol

[@alexavila425]

Awesome to see all the love you’re getting on the new videos you’re putting out dude keep up the great work it’s definitely showing🤘🏽

[@JP-om3ou]

absolute banger, thats a hilarious clip of ref calling the player out for cussing (WTH) - 11:30

[@somebrains5431]

That became a rule when they chased TV again in the 2000s. Up to then it was normal to hear what is considered hate speech now.

[@d7pb]

I'm really loving the video essays, man. I've been obsessed with paintball since I was a kid and only recently got back into playing a couple months ago. I love learning about how the leagues worked, the coolest guns I could never afford, and why things are the way they are in the sport today.

[@TheCityWokGuy]

The style of the sport in the 00’s was unmatched. I’ll always be a fanboy of the older Dye gear.

[@gbone2636]

Loving these deep dives into the history of PB.

[@FitzShotz]

So well done Brad! So good dude!

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Thanks a ton!

[@tylerrodman3408]

Nppl hb has given me some of the greatest memories of paintball. Bringing it back one more time would be dope. I dont know if the sport will ever be mainstream. It's similar to supercross in the sense that it's a niche sport and expensive.

[@MagMan4x4]

0:25, there used to be national tournaments in Reno???? I live here and there are like 12 people that play now. Wild.

[@somebrains5431]

Yeah man, and Great Western plus the subsequent West Coast minor series as theyd bankrupt would have a Reno event.

[@PewPewMike]

Good edit! Interesting pb history! Good work, sir!

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Thank you kindly!

[@hyperNight]

PBRML coming in with a BANGER today my goodness

[@GANTMACLELLAN]

Very nice video, thanks for putting in the work to make it!

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bluscrn1]

I was living in Huntington Beach in 2005 and 2006 and got to watch the two NPPL tournaments played right on the beach. Those were some great memories.

[@cris7468]

great video thumbnail choice!! lol

[@nickquinlan3934]

All your content is great but this video is seriously top tier. Hope to see more like this!!

[@imjustinb]

Absolutely love the longer form videos, and fantastic quality. Love to see the evolution of the channel!

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Awesome, thank you!

[@johndough7710]

amazing job retelling the history! things i'm grateful for in modern paintball as of today: 1) red and yellow flags, and standardized reffing. 2) standardized bps 3)1 field layout per event (imagine walking 10 different fields wtf) 4) paint connects at nxls that even lowest teams can get hooked up on. 5) no sideline coaching (this is one of the biggest things im really grateful for)

[@OldSoulShoebox]

Good stuff! Loving these in-depth vidjas my guy. May I request some long sleeves or tanks get added to the merch pile? Wouldn't mind a PBRML long sleeve for practices.

[@FATBASSTV]

Growing up in southern California and living close to HB. That stop was what my buddies and I looked forward to every year! Not to mention the us open would be going on at the same time on the other side of the pier.

[@Suicaedere666]

I never got into paintball seriously but played when I could, just rental nothing really. But man, your channel.. your delivery, disposition, storytelling, Bravo. Love watching everything coming out of this channel, keep up the great work man⚡️⚡️

[@prozacjunkie112]

This sort of long form content is amazing. Great Job! I'd love to watch one of these about when Smart Parts patent trolled 1/4 of the industry away!

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

The working title is "The Company That Tried to Kill Paintball"

[@prozacjunkie112]

@@PaintballRuinedMyLife my 2004 AKA viking and I are so stoked to hear this!

[@timmymccheee7213]

Truly a great video and hopefully given enough time an absolute classic gem of professional paintball timeline. I cannot give enough thumbs up or praise on your content and honestly in the last 18 months has only gotten exponentially BETTER!! Keep up the great work 🤙

[@evanj773373]

Love these types of videos

[@Auroric]

Killer video, so much I didn't know. During this era i was hours from any sort of legit field, so I was just buying up all the magazines and derder DVD's I could, dreaming of getting on a team one day. Nice to get some more insight into that nostalgic time

[@Check_Your_Hopper]

Paintball Ruined My Life ruined my life. It's addicting. Videos are too good!

[@mikeap1987]

It's a great evening in store when i see a new PBRML vid has been released.

[@VAgroom77]

This was such a fun walk down memory lane. I do kinda miss 7 man

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

As do I 😢

[@parkervx1k]

This was a really cool video. Thanks for putting it together and NPPL and PSP were before my time of playing unfortunately. Definitely missed out on the golden years as they would say. Another cool one would be PSP video.

[@arethree7]

The tweaker guy at the beginning with his jaw doin the type writer thing was absolutely hilarious.

[@sdaftermath123]

7:32 when you’re talking about the nppl/NXL split. Back in 2004, NXL teams figured out how to play NPPL. They just changed their team names. Miami Effect played as Infamous (later rebranded to infamous permanently, and quit the NXL) Aftershock was playing as Shock, Oakland assassins played as Oakland Empire/BLAST, Xtreme played as the New York raiders, Ironmen played as The Men etc… I believe it was mainly just 2003, that had a full season of segregation.

[@UnkillableVibe]

Ref- “No cussing on this field give me your flag!” Player “ WHHHAT!” 😂😂

[@brianmaafi]

I played in the XPSL. Shawn Walker was a POS then. I never understood why they gave him the NPPL reigns. Even Hinman openly talked about him being an idiot back then.

[@TheMemeMachineMatt]

We will get there again! Social media and channels like yours are the outlet to get us there. We just need to keep pushing content.

[@jermpeeps]

Love your vids on the history! Takes me back, so much nostalgia 🔥

[@MafiaSalet69er]

Great video and an awesome story! Keep them coming!

[@commanderosis435]

I had no idea Dick Clark even knew what paintball was

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Well, he doesn’t now 😬

[@rickyramirez7556]

And gibb and Shatner.

[@Phelps1111]

Great video. Interesting to learn the history of tournament paintball leagues and what caused the NPPL to fall apart.

[@dshew89d10]

13:50. The DM9 and DM10 era were the pinnacle of marker design and aesthetics. I miss those days

[@RossomeSauce1]

These historical videos lately have been incredible, awesome job

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Thank you very much!

[@davidballesteros3635]

I remember in denver the turf was over the asphalt in the parking lot. My knees did not appreciate that. But playing at mile high while the warped tour was going on was amazing. It really was an event.

[@somebrains5431]

San Diego and Mile High made the dudes that didnt wear pads hit the vendor booths. I had been wearing elbow and knee pads. The events played on parking lots made me think about slide shorts. Once xball got into full swing in PSP fully padding up was just necessary regardless of what we played on.

[@dehydratedwat3r]

god just the thumbnail brought me back. getting goosebumps just thinking of it. man we had such a good run between 2003 and 2007. I'm so glad I got to experience it. Only downside was being too broke and sucking a little too much to be on a good team that traveled playing tournaments and the one chance I had to get on a full ride I completely blew it by choosing a different team. But I can still say I played an NPPL, PSP, XPSL and Cal Jam event, reffed an NPPL event. And also won an NXL 10man. oh well, I still got to experience more than 90% of people

[@teazy12]

Loving these essay style videos Brad!

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Thank you, glad to hear it!

[@oliverlang3418]

This is rad bro nice work keep making great content 🎉

[@steelcityadv3190]

Another great history of paintball video!

[@ILikeCheeseOnBees]

14:08 Ref comes in with the best COD slide ever

[@goofydawg5011]

Happy I was able to experience 7man when it was big, playing hb on the beach and chi town on natural grass uncapped semi was a different world of paintball

[@Feign_Way]

I was there at the beginning, even played in a regional tournament once. Glory days of uncapped semi

[@rw5736]

Just bring back HB

[@Hostility1812]

Great video! I remember watching it back in 2003 in tv. I thought it couldn’t get any better and the sports was only going up.

[@dannagle2350]

Thanks!

[@edwardc4453]

great recap on this, really nailed it. A lot of players/teams couldn't keep up with the costs though and you saw a revolving door of players unless you were pro.

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Well said!

[@Forbeszy1]

Don't think that's a hit at 14:25. That's from when he put his arm on the ground. You can tell because he didn't have there when going down and just appears when he comes up. No spray and you can clearly see a paint glob come off. Also has none of the cone shape direction of being hit from any distance.

[@eviladam13]

I was in my early 20s when I played the 2002 NPPL WC in Kissimmee, still miss it excluding the fact that there was no adult beverages like the previous year lol

[@chuckmadden18]

Nice retrospective. Enjoyed this content.

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Much appreciated!

[@daryldavirro4237]

Awesome video. I started playing back in the late 90s. I just dont understand why it seems so hard to make a successful paintball league.

[@derekpham6722]

Hi, Im new to paintball, what is the big league or most respected pro league now?

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Now the NXL is the top dog

[@rickyramirez7556]

Love all the camp pendleton vids. Miss victory park.

[@Damitsall]

I dont need it to be the NPPL, but bring back unlimited semi-auto! Good job on the video, these are the videos im sure the whole community loves to see. If I could make a suggestion, go a little more indepth, take a little extra time to explain some more of major and maybe even minor "plot points".

[@TaylorAimed4U]

Awesome vid!

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Thanks!🙏

[@Bluegrassrentalsofeky]

This is awesome content

[@bobcat73]

Thanks. I was late to work.

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

No worries!

[@anthonygalluze6972]

lets do psp next

[@mikew2893]

Great work 👏 amazing video as always !!!!!

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@JG1281]

Well done, wild times as a player.

[@porter936]

Amazing content! So much great information, I'm going to watch this a couple times to let it all sink in. For all those NXL haters, it could be so much worse. I'm more grateful for the state of paintball now then ever!

[@markkhounnoraj]

gang leader just drop a whole gem on the history of tournament pb!!

[@erimei8478]

As someone who ate, slept and breathed paintball for 10 years at the tournament level, I always had an uncanny feeling that the golden age of paintball would be short lived. I never imagined it would get to the point it is now, but I often found myself wondering if paintball was enough of a spectator's sport to ever reach any sort sustained, mainstream appeal. Unlike the other "extreme sports" and X-Games related stuff that was entertaining for a spectator, most people can't really tell what's going on in paintball unless they've played extensively. From a player's perspective, X-Ball was fun but turned the sport into too much of a money game and time commitment that the more casual tournament players just couldn't get behind. Couple that with an unprecedented economic collapse, greed and mismanagement by the leagues, and the natural ebbs and flows of a sport like this and it was only a matter of time until it fell out of what little limelight it had. I truly miss those early 2000's glory days when it really felt like a grass roots, for players, by players sort of thing that had a ton of promise. It felt like we were on the precipice of something big that just never quite came to fruition. Generationally, I don't think we'll ever see the appetite for an "off the beaten path" sort of sport like this as an alternative for kids. It was truly a unique cultural and generational inflection point that inspired all the interest in paintball that I doubt will ever be replicated.

[@Metal0011]

My team played the last NPPL event ever in 2013 in Maryland !

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

I seem to remember Frank Connell getting into a fight that event lol

[@dannagle2350]

Great video! I’ve thought about this topic for years, and I agree with everything mentioned in the video as to why paintball failed to become mainstream. I have a genuine question that I hope you or someone in the comments can answer, is paintball still looking to become mainstream or has it just accepted it’s fate? I 100% believe it still has a solid chance of a comeback, it’s just a matter of how it’s presented to the masses. That’s a key part that I think could’ve been mentioned in the video. If they do, I have some ideas as to how that can be done. Hopefully you see this. I have some video ideas too that I’d be thrilled if you covered, and I know true paintball fans would appreciate too! It’d be great to see you cover the legal battle between Smart Parts and DYE. Also be cool if you covered the story behind “Agg”! Lastly a video on what ever became of DerDer and MWAG Style vids and if they’ll ever make a return. To this day I still blast the music I heard in those movies.

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Currently the NXL is making a push to get onto TV although many of us don’t see the point. Paintball demographic doesn’t really watch TV. We can even argue that it’s already mainstream, everybody knows about Paintball, maybe not the pro side but they know it exists.

[@dannagle2350]

@@PaintballRuinedMyLife I wish they were open to input on how to make it more appealing to watch for other demographics. I’ll have to write Mr. Cole a letter lol. It’s not as simple as adding “barrel cams” to make it more interesting, it needs a totally different spin and a few easy to fix small details. Thank you for getting back to me by the way. It’s very cool to get to interact with someone who has a voice in the Paintball Community!

[@milespropper2288]

in 2024 what is keeping paintball from becoming mainstream? is it affordability for the every day player to get in to the sport?

[@armyatc2143]

Dave youngblood came to the local field one time i was there. Shooting some photos for one of the paintball magazines at the time. He smoked a lot of guys with that custom autococker.

[@Hotdawwwggg]

Thanks B!

[@justinh7673]

I haven't played paintball in almost a decade. Is the sport still alive? Or has the cost gotten so astronomical that its basically just limited to tournament play now?

[@scmsean]

Watching these old videos you actually see large crowds. You see videos today, and it doesn't even look like family is showing up to watch.

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

Yep

[@MrMenghis]

I remember working for Shawn as a ref when I was a teen. Completely underpaid and way over worked lol. Exploited every one of his worker. But I love paintball so it was no big deal

[@icecoldrugby]

Were the fields wider? The NXL fields at 7:00 look huge.

[@PaintballRuinedMyLife]

They were for sure different size, I think the field was just a little shorter. so it might look wider.