Editing Bob Long's Ironmen (section)

=== Oakland Assassins and X-Ball ===

The introduction of the NXL in 2003 marked a transition in Bob Long's professional team programme.

Long led the [[Oakland Assassins]], one of the original eight professional NXL franchises.

The Assassins competed against the Los Angeles Ironmen, Philadelphia Americans, Chicago Aftershock and other professional organisations during the inaugural NXL season. [17]

The team finished the regular season as the highest-ranked NXL franchise in 2003 before advancing to the championship playoffs. [17]

The relationship between Bob Long's Ironmen and the Oakland Assassins was demonstrated during the 2004 NPPL Denver Open.

With NXL players permitted to enter NPPL tournaments but restricted from using their NXL franchise names, Bob Long's Oakland Assassins competed under the Ironmen name.

Contemporary WARPIG coverage explicitly distinguished Long's team from the Los Angeles Ironmen, which competed under the name The Men at the same event. [4]

The later competitive history of the Oakland Assassins is covered separately.