Editing Jeffrey Perlmutter (section)

== Paintball career ==

=== Early involvement ===

Perlmutter first played paintball in approximately early 1982 at a [[National Survival Game]] (NSG) field in Marengo, Illinois, alongside David Freeman.[1]

Recognising a business opportunity, Perlmutter travelled to New Hampshire to meet [[Bob Gurnsey]] and Gerard Jaggard of National Survival Game to discuss purchasing franchise rights for the Chicago area.

According to Perlmutter's recollections, an initial agreement was reached but subsequently changed when NSG divided the proposed territory into multiple franchise areas. Perlmutter and Freeman decided to establish an independent business rather than purchase the revised franchise rights.[1]

=== Pursuit Marketing Inc. ===

Perlmutter and Freeman established [[Pursuit Marketing Inc.]] in 1982. The company was formally incorporated in Illinois in December 1983.[1]

The partners divided their responsibilities, with Perlmutter concentrating on marketing, branding and sales, while Freeman focused on manufacturing, distribution and sales.

Unlike the National Survival Game franchise model, PMI supplied equipment and consumables directly to independent paintball field operators without requiring exclusive territories or franchise agreements.

Working with the Benjamin Sheridan Air Rifle Company in Racine, Wisconsin, the partners arranged the development of the PG paintball pistol, which subsequently evolved into the [[PMI PGP]] pump-action marker.[1]

Perlmutter also helped establish PMI's relationship with pharmaceutical encapsulation manufacturer [[R. P. Scherer]], which produced water-soluble .68-calibre paintballs under the PMI Premium brand. These provided an alternative to the oil-based paintballs used in the sport's earliest years.

He additionally negotiated an arrangement to distribute Uvex protective eyewear for paintball use.[1]

PMI expanded its product range and distribution operations throughout the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a supplier of equipment and consumables to paintball fields, retailers and tournament organisers.

=== Tournament sponsorship ===

Perlmutter was involved in PMI's sponsorship of competitive paintball during the 1980s and 1990s.

PMI partnered with Paul Fogal of [[Skirmish USA]] in Pennsylvania to support the North American Championship Tournament and Trade Show, which began in 1986.[1]

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, PMI and R. P. Scherer sponsored the tournament series organised by [[Jim Lively]] and Sam Caldwell. The companies' names appeared in the series branding during 1991 and 1992.

Perlmutter attended sponsored tournaments and participated in presenting prize money to winning teams. At the 1992 Lively Masters, he presented the first-place prize of US$15,000.[1]

PMI also sponsored several established tournament teams, including [[Aftershock]], [[Lords of Discipline]], [[Sudden Death]] and the [[PMI Piranhas]].

Perlmutter was himself a tournament player, competing with the PMI Piranhas during the late 1980s. Contemporary photographs also document his presence with the Lords of Discipline.[1]