Just under three years ago, the already-surging sport of modern roller derby experienced a period of explosive growth, going from under 50 to over 150 leagues and more than doubling the number of registered skaters in the space of about six months. This burst coincided with the airing of A&E's short-lived Rollergirls series, and while there's probably never been a study, around about the 50th time you hear a skater tell you that she caught an episode of the show and that's what prompted her to either:
- Google "roller derby," find her nearby league and join it, or
- Google "roller derby," find out there's no league nearby, but see a whole swath of DIY leagues all over and decide "if they can do it, so can I"
... well, the pattern becomes pretty clear. Despite a short run and poor ratings on a cable network, Rollergirls provided a pretty significant bump in the sport's footprint, by reaching a big chunk of the didn't-yet-know-I-was-a-derby-girl population.
Seven months from now, give or take, we're poised for what could be a similar surge -- or, could be another order of magnitude larger. The forthcoming derby-based major motion picture Whip It seems poised to garner a great deal of new attention for the sport, for at least a couple of reasons:
- It is the first big lead role for Ellen Page since her star turn in last year's giant hit Juno
- It's Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, and she also co-stars
- The cast includes other notables like Juliette Lewis, Kristen Wiig, Zoe Bell, and Eve
So based on casting alone, this film seems likely to appeal to to a broad spectrum of people demographically similar to the current fans and participants in modern roller derby. Assuming they behave like Rollergirls viewers did -- "oh my god, this exists? google google google" -- there will be a lot of eyeballs pointed at a lot of roller derby websites. What do we, as the community who built this sport from scratch, want them to see?
We have seven months.
Stay tuned for more on this topic!
it's exciting
I think easy access to the good stuff. Best of pics and media. Easy access to the "How To" media. Perhaps a Derby 101 tab on this site. Maybe a direct link from the WFTDA site to this one.
It's going to be a teen movie. We need to able to get those teens access to play. Is the JFTDA ready? Oh so exciting.
it's *totally* exciting
This is exactly the stuff I'm on about. Now that we're out of tournament season, DNN is turning ourselves toward next year, and one very obvious need we intend to address is new-fan support in advance of the Whip It deluge, definitely including a Derby 101-type guide.
If you have ideas, we want to hear them!
I should think...
The interest level may strain the training programs of some leagues. Some may want to stash some budget for bootcamps and tryouts after it's out. And then some when it's out on DVD and on cable.
-Barely even speaking for myself...
*~[
Grand Poobah
Sin City Stat Pack
Fabulous Sin City Rollergirls
Tsumani's can be good.
I agree with Poobah about the strain of larger leagues. They will have to contend with the influx of women seeking out their inner derby girl and not enough spots on their teams. With smaller leagues and with the Derby community as a whole, however, this is going to be a fantastic event. For smaller leagues, who consistently see lower numbers at their bouts and a public who has yet to find themselves roller derby fans, this will hopefully get them the numbers and revenue they seek to become bigger contenders in the sport. As for the roller derby community as a whole, this kind of publicity is the free kind of advertising the Sport needs! An event such as this will give us that many more voices so that we won't have the kind of issues where we're not mentioned in the sports sections of our local papers. A&E's Rollergirls brought roller derby out of the woodwork; Whip It is going to bring it to the masses and I only hope this community welcomes it with open arms.
Old Skool Beatdown
Dominion Derby Girls(WFTDA)
It's Gonna Be Mindblowing
I keep asking the general question, "Are we ready?" to the derby community at large in regards to "Whip It".
As has been stated, PR and Training for every league is going to be the first "hit" by the movie, but all aspects off all leagues need to be ready to deal with new interest for sponsorship, art, getting in some volunteers, refs, etc.
I think on the legal end leagues gotta brush up on knowing stuff about contracts for sponsors, media coverage and whatnot, because I think this movie will bring that to derby finally.
Busta was doing some back-of-the-envelope math, and right now he thinks with all DIY leagues out there, the sport makes around $3 million a year. Knowing for sure what the sport makes will help leagues make deals that will bring positive attention and coverage for media and sponsorships.
This is the sport's biggest opportunity yet. Let's make it count!
TARA ARMOV #51
LA Derby Dolls
That Which Does Not Kill You Makes For A Good Story
My concerns
Since the film revolves around Banked Track Derby, will the Flat Trackers see the potential benefits of the film, or will there be expectations from potential fans, sponsors and media that Flat Trackers go Banked Track in order to receive those benefits? Post film release, imagine taking somebody who has never seen derby in the flesh to a flat track bout and he/she is wondering "where's the banked track?" Or big sponsors and media telling flat track leagues we'll give you sponsorship, print and TV coverage if you go banked track because that's what sells.
Didn't matter "last time"
You know, I've heard this concern voiced quite a few times, and I am really convinced that it's just not going to be a problem. Just like when Rollergirls came out, I think what happens is that people find their local league, scratch their heads for a few minutes, but then start actually watching what's going on in front of them and the question fades away.
Likewise, in my experience sponsors and media outlets are willing to be educated, if you can bring numbers to them -- they can't tell *us* what sells, but rather it's the other way around, we're the ones with a developing track record. There will always be uninformed people ready to tell you what you're doing wrong, but one reason I think modern roller derby has thrived is that we're not exactly the type of people to be just led around by external interests, ya know?
That said, it's a great example of the kind of new-fan issues we need to be ready for, just as we had to be 2, 3, 4 years ago at the launch of each league. Announcers can help with this a bit, with some "who's here for the first time? who just saw Whip It?" patter, and a "Where's the Banked Track?" page in the bout program could also help. DNN will be making some resources available for use in your bout programs in the coming months.
Speaking of didn't matter last time
Regarding the question at the end the original post here (about bunches of peoples googling for derby information), one thing that has really struck me over the last few months is how much the online presence for this sport has changed in a very short time. The Rollergirls series aired only from January to March 2006, and I didn't begin looking for any information online until a little after that when I heard an NPR story about a league in my own area in about April or May. At that point, months after the series had aired, I found just barely enough information to get me to attend a bout. Ultimately that was all it took though.
For many months after that as my curiosity turned into interest and eventually obsession, one thing that became increasingly frustrating was trying to get more information about what was going on with several other leagues from outside the immediate area. Each individual league website was very hit or miss in terms of quality, with some looking quite professional while others went stale without any updates for months at a time. Getting out of town scores within two or three days after a bout was played was a pretty good accomplishment, and often one had to be REALLY dedicated to the process of hunting through several different sites just to find those. A few fan sites did what they could to fill gaps and collect information from many leagues into more central locations, but these tended to be rather regional or lacking in much depth.
My point is that this postmodern reinvention of the sport was largely unprepared for the "baby boom" that took place in 2006. It happened anyway. Already the sport is MUCH better prepared online for another potential boom in 2009. Derby News Network has existed for little more than a year and existed in it's current format for less than six months, but I think most would agree that it has changed the possibilities for providing derby information. Previews and recaps from all over, including overseas can be viewed and commented about quite easily. Boutcasts have started to become an expection for major bouts and tournaments, not to mention the live video feeds that some leagues have been able to provide. You can receive final scores on your phone within minutes. I have no doubt that someone that googles roller derby in six or seven months will be far more dazzled with the results than they would have been in 2006. That should take the pressure off a bit.
As for me, the most difficult part of all seems to be coming to grips with the possibility that I might be part of a community. This is something that is entirely unfamiliar for me.
Slack Kerowhack
Mid Atlantic Derby News
"Come gather 'round people wherever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown
And accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'."
-Bob Dylan
None of that changes...
Since the film revolves around Banked Track Derby, will the Flat Trackers see the potential benefits of the film, or will there be expectations from potential fans, sponsors and media that Flat Trackers go Banked Track in order to receive those benefits?
None of that changes the fact that a banked track league starts out $20-30K in the hole for the track. Which is actually the least of their expenses. Additionally, they need to "own" their practice space and/or their venue. Ever price commercial/industrial real estate? Try making enough off your bouts and dues to rent something the size of a supermarket. Oh yeah, provide your own bleachers, as well.
Also consider that there's maybe six banked track leagues skating legit derby to take it to the next level against. No more than two of them seem to use the same rules set.
As with Rollergirls, this will feature banked track derby, but likely help flat track more. Put quite simply, growth is easier on the flat track side of the fence.
All that said, TXRD no doubt did get a boost from their show. They have fans that travel there from around the country to see them. Other leagues that used to play on TV get non-player derby tourists as well, from what I've heard.
-Barely even speaking for myself...
*~[
Grand Poobah
Sin City Stat Pack
Fabulous Sin City Rollergirls
The Poobah speaks true
While I am a known lover of old school banked action from "back in the day", and a strong advocate of banked over flat (if given a choice), Poobah is correct. The financial model is just too difficult for banked track on a larger scale (as in number of leagues and teams)without massive financing. Certainly individual leagues can be successful, but in comparison of starting up a business its far easier to put together Flat track leagues then banked ones.
Secondly, there are already so many flat track leagues in place that if one really wants to skate either RollerGirl or Roller Derby or whatever format, there are plenty of outlets to join. Unless she disrepects the product completely, which is doubtful, anyone who is intrigued by the movie enough to try out for or check out a game will "settle" for Flat track. After that, the product should be able to sell itself. There is an old saying, "its the promotors job to put asses in the seats. Its the workers job to bring 'em back"
I do think the idea that WHIP IT will create an explosion for WFTDA (or anyone else) is a bit overstated and premature. After all, Mikey Rourke is a leading contender for an Oscar nomination for his role in THE WRESTLER, but its doubtful you will see a rise in attendance for Indy wrestling based upon that. Will the movie focus on the game or on characters and storyline? Will it be portrayed as a step forward from the past ready to return to the mainstream or will it be portrayed as something of an underground niche movement? I have seen no dailies (which are more helpful than trailers) so I have no idea how its coming across. I do know that since Barrymore is an LA girl, raised in a prior era, and watches the LA Derby dolls, I am curious to see what kind of ruleset gets portrayed. If the movie leads to even a 5% growth in attendance, then its a plus for everyone.
totally different demos
The audience is going to be different and I suspect the movies are going to have totally different looks and feels to them even though there may be similar messages. Lets face it, Mickey Rourke hasn't done much to inspire women in years. Compare a gritty wrestling movie with some bottomed-out actor to watching derby on the big screen! I think it will be character driven, but hopefully with a lot of skating. There was a reason she wanted to do a roller derby movie and I can't imagine if she's a fan, why she wouldn't put a decent amount of derby in it--something had to inspire her to do this movie and she wouldn't have gone to such great lengths to have a bunch of skaters from Michigan and all over, so hopefully she intends to present derby as exciting and fast paced as it really is.
The Wrestler = A Different Different Demo
Having seen the trailer for The Wrestler, it's not comparable at all to Whip It. It's got that Rocky vibe to it, where it's a depressing tale of the rags-to-riches-to-rags story of someone coming to grips with the fact that their relevance and life are 25 years past. It strikes me as a ham-fisted attempt at an Oscar grab using a coat of Pro Wrestling paint on the old "woe is me" John Cougar/Springsteen Americana dude goes for one last shot at "greatness."
Whip It, from what I can gather, is not that at all. Maybe I'm just sour that my lowbrow hillbilly entertainment is a conduit for attempts at a pinnacle award of film-making.
Another difference is that The Wrestler uses real indy promotions in the film - I noticed both Combat Zone Wrestling (based out of Philly?) and Ring of Honor (based out of New Jersey?) in the trailer. I'm not certain how much exposure WFTDA gets in Whip It other than skaters - not much, by my assumption, based on the use of banked tracks.
And let's be fair - Mickey Rourke hasn't done much to inspire anyone in years, let alone just women. But that's another aspect of the appeal of The Wrestler - the love of the media/tabloids for parallel "comeback" stories. They fawned over Robert Downey Jr. w/ his comeback in Iron Man, and they'll do the same for Rourke; Ellen Page, on the other hand, is "on top" as it were, having an enormous hit with Juno. So there's a whole different demographic, and a whole different framework for the media to run with it.
Even if the film dies in the theater, like the A&E program did on TV, it will be a huge boon for all involved in derby. I'm excited to see what Mercy's not letting any of us onto.
Demos and such
First of all, lets not call your love for wrestling and roller sports "lowbrow hillbilly entertainment". It's all good and just as worthy of being an avenue for great storytelling as anything else. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise.
As for this film possibly dying I do not think anyone has to worry about that. Barrymore is, after all, a Barrymore and an old pro. While I find her starring roles to often be hit or miss (based upon script quality and directing more than her efforts)She has proven to be a fine producer and her directing should be good enough to keep this film from becoming a mess. Unless the script is dreadful, this film should do well. You are dead-on about Ellen Page whose great ability will not be just her current hit, but her ability to make her characters sympathetic. That should make the movie sell.
Lowbrow Hillbilly Entertainment
Refers solely to big-time wrestling. And I'm the one calling it that.
2-3 decades ago, perhaps there was some overlap in the crowds attracted b/w wrestling and derby - but that's not the case today (based on my anecdotal evidence of having been to dozens of big-time wrestling shows and nearly a hundred derby bouts). The last time wrestling and derby overlapped was when there was a pissing contest between ECW (the good one) and RollerJam on TNN. That didn't turn out too pretty, to my recollection.
As derby grows there may inevitably be some overlap, but that won't, I hope, come packaged with the groveling for hypersexuality that is characteristic of your typical wrestling fan.
But in the end, wrestling *is* lowbrow hillbilly entertainment. That doesn't make me like it any less, but while there's plenty, plenty, plenty of garbage out there on the telly to watch, that doesn't suddenly put WWE on par with Agatha Christie's Poirot.
But, anyway, back to the movie - it may do well, it may not. I'm a cynic. The glass is not just half empty, it's about to shatter any minute. ;)
Just a note
Refers solely to big-time wrestling. And I'm the one calling it that.
2-3 decades ago, perhaps there was some overlap in the crowds attracted b/w wrestling and derby - but that's not the case today (based on my anecdotal evidence of having been to dozens of big-time wrestling shows and nearly a hundred derby bouts). The last time wrestling and derby overlapped was when there was a pissing contest between ECW (the good one) and RollerJam on TNN. That didn't turn out too pretty, to my recollection.
As derby grows there may inevitably be some overlap, but that won't, I hope, come packaged with the groveling for hypersexuality that is characteristic of your typical wrestling fan.
But in the end, wrestling *is* lowbrow hillbilly entertainment. That doesn't make me like it any less, but while there's plenty, plenty, plenty of garbage out there on the telly to watch, that doesn't suddenly put WWE on par with Agatha Christie's Poirot.
But, anyway, back to the movie - it may do well, it may not. I'm a cynic. The glass is not just half empty, it's about to shatter any minute. ;)
I would not call much of anything WWE has done for the last several years on par with Christie or even Seuss. I just think the setting for good art can be done anywhere if the story told is a compelling one. Whether it be a track, a ring, or ancient Scottish Castle. I am hoping for a good movie that makes the game seem compelling.
As for the 'hypersexuality' I think it is important to note the difference between WWE fans and traditional pro wrestling fans. The former and the latter have far less interlap and its the existence of the latter that has spurred the growth of the indies.
As for the Rollerjam experience, two things screwed that up 1) ANetwork that wanted McMahon's product and was willing to cancel ROllerJam at his request to do it [another long story I will happily share off-board] and 2) A network which for some odd reason thought Roller Jam needed more WWE-style schtick than gameplay. The fans hated the change, the skaters hated the change, and I swear watching the difference between seasons is like feeling your brain cells leave your head piece by piece.
Wait a minute
Wasn't RollerJam always soap opera and schtick with a little bit of gameplay--people playing characters and having disputes?
Hopefully another incarnation never sees the light of day.
wait a minute response
Wasn't RollerJam always soap opera and schtick with a little bit of gameplay--people playing characters and having disputes?
Hopefully another incarnation never sees the light of day.
No. Thanks to the network it went from a 2 hour show of about 1:45 of game to a 2 hour show of about 45 minutes of game.
The problem for it more than anything was it was being treated by the producers and the network like a certain TV show owned by Vince Mcmahon.
Another incarantion where skaters can make a living skating? Sorry, but I would love to see that.
Nobody Makes Money on Derby
Another incarantion where skaters can make a living skating? Sorry, but I would love to see that.
You aren't alone. Those who are closest to the skaters and understand the costs they pay just to play this sport will be the first to speak up and say that the skaters should be the first to make any money off derby.
I and others say that "nobody makes money on derby". But another way to say that is that nobody should make money off of derby until the skaters get paid.
- bjmacke (a.k.a. Apron)
ahh, there is the rub
Another incarantion where skaters can make a living skating? Sorry, but I would love to see that.
You aren't alone. Those who are closest to the skaters and understand the costs they pay just to play this sport will be the first to speak up and say that the skaters should be the first to make any money off derby.
I and others say that "nobody makes money on derby". But another way to say that is that nobody should make money off of derby until the skaters get paid.
- bjmacke (a.k.a. Apron)
Ideally that would be great. But it has never really happened in any incarnation and I fear the only way it will be close to that is when once a again someone with big dollars comes in to pay skaters and costs etc, but then the level of independence and control and the whole DIY aspect will get lost. Also, if you see skaters making $75K and up a year, you can bet your bippy that the investors are making 20 times more at least. But at least they will get paid. I have a few girls on the team I coach whose lives would be so much better if for even a few years instead of spending money on derby, they could make some.
Misunderstood in my minute
Another incarantion where skaters can make a living skating? Sorry, but I would love to see that.
You aren't alone. Those who are closest to the skaters and understand the costs they pay just to play this sport will be the first to speak up and say that the skaters should be the first to make any money off derby.
I and others say that "nobody makes money on derby". But another way to say that is that nobody should make money off of derby until the skaters get paid.
- bjmacke (a.k.a. Apron)
I would love for the skaters to make money off of derby--But on the terms of the real derby as was skated so well at the regionals and the nationals, not on the terms of an incarnation where the sport is denigrated to a WWF/American Gladiator carnival show. I would hope that it would not come to that in order for the skaters to benefit financially.
only time will tell
I would love for the skaters to make money off of derby--But on the terms of the real derby as was skated so well at the regionals and the nationals, not on the terms of an incarnation where the sport is denigrated to a WWF/American Gladiator carnival show. I would hope that it would not come to that in order for the skaters to benefit financially.
Well, its never happened before, but it's early. After all pro soccer never made a dime in the US until several tries and different models. Sure MLS will never be as big here as it is in other places, but it makes a profit and seems to be sustainable. The sport for a very long time did quite well without a WWE aspect. (By that I mean the sport that existed long before this new flat track roller girl wave came long. You know, the sport so many seem to dis while at the same time feeling perfectly free to plunder from its rules and history when it suits them, but let me get off my soapbox).
Love of the game is great, but how many leagues are running completely for free and never charge admission? Once you do that, just like all sports, you enter the entertainment business. Entertainment dollars are going to be tight for a long time. Compelling personalities sell tickets and merchandise. Winning teams sell tickets and merchandise. But there are pricepoints. So long as a family of four can go to a game for $25-$100 (including some goodies) to see people they want to see, attendance will increase. The problem is that higher attendance leads to larger venues which leads to higher costs.
By making reasonable growth an objective many leagues increase their odds of long term survival. This increases the chance of someone or company deciding to open up the checkbook and create a definitive professional league. This increases the chance for a payday. In short, put asses in the seats on a large scale and you may get something. I think the surprise will come when some of the smaller markets with large followings become the backbone for such a league.
What's with the 3D H8????
Since the film revolves around Banked Track Derby, will the Flat Trackers see the potential benefits of the film, or will there be expectations from potential fans, sponsors and media that Flat Trackers go Banked Track in order to receive those benefits?
None of that changes the fact that a banked track league starts out $20-30K in the hole for the track. Which is actually the least of their expenses. Additionally, they need to "own" their practice space and/or their venue. Ever price commercial/industrial real estate? Try making enough off your bouts and dues to rent something the size of a supermarket. Oh yeah, provide your own bleachers, as well.
Also consider that there's maybe six banked track leagues skating legit derby to take it to the next level against. No more than two of them seem to use the same rules set.
As with Rollergirls, this will feature banked track derby, but likely help flat track more. Put quite simply, growth is easier on the flat track side of the fence.
All that said, TXRD no doubt did get a boost from their show. They have fans that travel there from around the country to see them. Other leagues that used to play on TV get non-player derby tourists as well, from what I've heard.
-Barely even speaking for myself...
*~[
Grand Poobah
Sin City Stat Pack
Fabulous Sin City Rollergirls
I think Gotham had to pay about $20/30K for their Skate/Sport Court, IIRC, in addition to renting practice space.
I've gone to Columbus OH and Houston to see HH and BR, and while I did enjoy myself, I'd be more likely to visit LA and Seattle to see the Derby Dolls and The Seatown Sisters Of Slant, respectively.
The Original TXRDonald
the world is NOT flat! ;-)
Hate? Realism, actually.
I think Gotham had to pay about $20/30K for their Skate/Sport Court, IIRC, in addition to renting practice space.
The hate is in your head, not mine. I like banked track derby, I've got friends who skate it. I'm simply stating why the film won't likely give as large a boost to banked track derby as it will to flat track. Flat track surfaces are everywhere, and are far more easily affordable. People from banked track leagues would probably tend to agree. I've heard 'em say so.
Flat track leagues generally have a CHOICE of whether to buy their own Sport Court or their own practice space. Outside of a few cities where real estate costs are prohibitive (NYC, S.F.), there are still roller rinks in the U.S. HUNDREDS of them. Pretty much all of which are located in easy to find commercial districts, with plenty of parking. Most leagues outgrow 'em as venues, but they work great until you have a crowd and an arena type venue.
Banked track leagues don't generally get this choice. Do you know of any banked track rinks that will let you rent on Mondays for practice because the turnout for adult open skates are slow that night? Or because the inline hockey league moved on? Are there any banked track rinks out there that make their bank on the birthday parties and sweaty-palmed romantic hopes of 11 year old girls? Probably not.
The film WILL help banked track leagues. Where they exist already. It's a bit less likely to help banked track leagues suddenly spring up where they don't already exist.
-Barely even speaking for myself...
*~[
Grand Poobah
Sin City Stat Pack
Fabulous Sin City Rollergirls
everything he said
And one other thing: we rented a storage unit the first season we used the SportCourt, since we didn't have a permanent practice space. But we were able to use an inexpensive mini-storage place, which isn't gonna be an option if you're trying to store a banked track. You need to be able to *practice* on the banked track too, and that would probably piss the mini-storage place off a bit :-) Later, of course, the SportCourt became the flooring of our practice space.
Anyhoo, I don't think anyone's hating - it's just recognition that getting a banked track league rolling is a tougher financial proposition in most cases.
Ana Bollocks
Gotham Girls Roller Derby
everything he said and she said
Yes, all forms of banked track may get a boost from the movie in attendance, but an increase in start-ups? Not bloody likely. I love banked more than anything and in my own historically biased opinion I find it "superior" (like any biased fan thinks their own favorite is better) but if people came to me asking whether or not to start a banked league from scratch I would tell them to save their money and put together a flat league unless they want to put off skating at all for lord knows how long.. Flat IS and likely WILL be the basis for growth and new talent because it is cheaper and easier to start and develop. When considering how much time and effort it takes to make Flat Track work, then you can imagine how much more of a nightmare it is for new banked leagues with little to no experience or money to do.
I get asked about this a lot by folks when they wonder why Derby and Pro wrestling (with its large number of indy promotions) took different paths and I often replied "You ever try to put a banked track in a bar? A VFW? An Elks Lodge? Let alone find enough people to fill enough leagues?" Flat track can make the similar comparison because you dont need an enormous place make it work and that has made it accessible to more people. Its like a game of pick-up baseball or touch football..you can do it almost anywhere.
If people like what they see in this Movie, and if the only thing form of Roller Sport nearby to watch is Flat Track, they will see it and the absence of a banked track wont turn off many if any
Preach on, Poobah
I think Gotham had to pay about $20/30K for their Skate/Sport Court, IIRC, in addition to renting practice space.
The hate is in your head, not mine. I like banked track derby, I've got friends who skate it. I'm simply stating why the film won't likely give as large a boost to banked track derby as it will to flat track. Flat track surfaces are everywhere, and are far more easily affordable. People from banked track leagues would probably tend to agree. I've heard 'em say so.
And you just heard it again. In fact amongst a group of old timers we all said the same thing just Saturday night.
it's about the cost of entry
I think Gotham had to pay about $20/30K for their Skate/Sport Court, IIRC, in addition to renting practice space.
I've gone to Columbus OH and Houston to see HH and BR, and while I did enjoy myself, I'd be more likely to visit LA and Seattle to see the Derby Dolls and The Seatown Sisters Of Slant, respectively.
The Original TXRDonald
the world is NOT flat! ;-)
The difference is that a portable floor isn't table stakes to play the sport. Duke City Derby practiced at an outdoor basketball court this past year, for a total cost of $0 -- and Duke City advanced to Nationals despite it, because that was all they needed to have to get the hard work done.
Gotham themselves weathered a similar period a couple years back: no venue, no season, practicing in parking lots... but they were able to continue skating and training despite those challenges.
Removing "real estate" and "large capital investment" from the formula made this sport accessible to everyone. It's those changes that moved it for the first time ever from a sport played by no more than a few hundred to a sport played by tens of thousands, with no significant obstacle to growth by another two orders of magnitude.
Different leagues, different markets, different resources, different situations, different decisions... the point is, when you're making decisions, it's wise to understand the full opportunity cost of one choice over another.