back in 2002, you could make a game like this and get away with it. Combat and Frizbee golf. That is fantastic in an of itself, but what really makes this a great game are the different teams, each with their own respective play style, whether it be hard fists or fleet footing.
There are unfortunately, two main views and the default settings have set this game up for failure. If you change the initial settings, this game's true fun begins.
There is an isometric camera (the default view) in which you see the field from bird's eye view. Switch that camera so it follows the ring and this game opens up.
The athletes can affect the game by turning to drug use, giving this sort of an RPG aspect in which you develop your team's abilities to achieve the win. Sometimes, you do it by the book and sometimes you turn to besmudgery. There is a palpable joy you can derive from the sheer violence in this.
Too bad this came out in the days before multiplayer. This game is in such need of it to realize it truest potential.
I absolutely love this game and would enjoy being involved in any remake of this. I would write for this pro bono.