The Polk Bay area lastly had a group, but the area in St. Petersburg was already in need of an update. In 1993, the area was rebranded the Thunderdome and became the home of the Polk Bay Super basketball group and the Polk Bay Weather Market Baseball Group group. rays tickets | orioles tickets | phillies tickets
I've joined the G+ group, but I've never even heard of Google groups. I just looked it up, though, and applied. I'll never be a skater (I'm a dude, plus poor balance would keep me off skates) or a Ref, but I'd love to volunteer in some capacity. I've been talking derby up to anyone who will listen for the past few months. I think I've convinced my family to come to February's bout.
Wow, thank you for loving DC rollergirls and the whips (yay whips!) So much. You've kind of blown us all away with your excitement. If you haven't done it yet may I suggest joining the dcrg Google group because the league would love to know who our super fan is. ;)
I just started getting into derby at the start of DCRG's season, and I'm already a super fan. Competitions of any sort are more fun to watch when you have someone to cheer for, so I picked the Whips purely because they were the newest team, and I love an underdog (and the color green, for that matter). They may have lost this last bout, but they certainly played hard. It was fantastic to watch. Every time I go to a bout I'm super pumped about derby for at least the next week. I wish they played every weekend!
What's more derby than a derby skater owned microbusiness that manufactures gear made just for us taking some of her company's income and supporting a team that showcases some of the best skaters in the sport?
Can I get like a million amens here? Now how about a few more.
Not that this is a realistic concern, but on the subject of money in derby, can we get some opinions from people who quit playing because they couldn't afford to any more? I'm sure they'd love to move towards getting some expenses paid. What's wrong with that coming from a derby-owned business? There's no selling out here if you're advocating a product that you actually do like.
I mean, sponsorships are fine. Logos on uniforms are fine. But having the sponsor logo take precedence over the team's logo, or even naming a team after a sponsor is somewhere I'm not interested seeing the sport go.
It really isn't. I don't think there are enough derby companies with the funds to do this nor enough outside interest in the sport yet for this to be a concern for a while. Derby players are rather picky despite always looking for a sponsorship opportunity. So any fears of derby turning into NASCAR or the EPL are a bit unfounded. The only other time I have heard of something like this was with the PNW irregular team "Trouble Brewing". If you even see the logo on the uniforms you will see it is Starbucks. Starbucks put up the money for the jerseys but in the end didn't allow the team to be called "Team Starbucks" for whatever reason.
As for Atom stepping up and helping out Missile Mountain... good for them. Atom gets some advertising for their new line & MMRD gets to keep the bank track out of the box. Plus it give a lot of skaters more time on a banked track and more variety of skating they can compete at. Honestly, I just wish we had the cash to do something similar. But we at least had 3 of our sponsored skaters in the bout, 2 of which were on Team Bionic. I do think in the future though we will see more derby companies getting into sponsoring individual skaters and their logos discretely being on the uniforms of those players during a bout. It cost a lot of money to play derby at the top level (flat or banked) and if companies can ease that burden even just a little, I think that is a good thing.
I don't believe there's an absolute line, but that everyone has their own personal line. If a team crosses your line, root for another team or you can just heckle. That's fun too.
seriously, everyone go watch Lords Of Dogtown. Skate shops and equipment manufacturers sponsoring teams is how skateboarding grew. It never lost it's edge, people still skate different styles and different types of competition, and all that happened is that it became more and more popular and allowed talented skaters to make a living skating.
Isn't that what a ton of people on the internet are constantly whingeing about wanting? To still be derby, but also be paid?
What's more derby than a derby skater owned microbusiness that manufactures gear made just for us taking some of her company's income and supporting a team that showcases some of the best skaters in the sport? Skateboarding isn't the only parallel, either.
I come from the world of MMA. Years ago a small company called Tap Out ( 3guys who sold tshits out of their van) began to sponser local fighters. Because of them, many local fighters were able to hang on & compete as the sport grew. Tap Out. along with MMA & many of the fighters are well known today(15yrs later). When I retired due to a broken back, it was that fighert owned sponsership that stepped up & saved my ass.
It's not until the big sponsers come in that you may see an issue, sell-out or complete change of the game. But, don't worry, that day will come too.
Derby Owned Since 98
The Rev. Al Mighty.
Sponsered by Wicked Skatewear.
seriously, everyone go watch Lords Of Dogtown. Skate shops and equipment manufacturers sponsoring teams is how skateboarding grew. It never lost it's edge, people still skate different styles and different types of competition, and all that happened is that it became more and more popular and allowed talented skaters to make a living skating.
Isn't that what a ton of people on the internet are constantly whingeing about wanting? To still be derby, but also be paid?
What's more derby than a derby skater owned microbusiness that manufactures gear made just for us taking some of her company's income and supporting a team that showcases some of the best skaters in the sport? Skateboarding isn't the only parallel, either.
I mean, sponsorships are fine. Logos on uniforms are fine. But having the sponsor logo take precedence over the team's logo, or even naming a team after a sponsor is somewhere I'm not interested seeing the sport go.
I have always said, derby can follow the model of skateboarding, if it wants to keep it's aesthetic but be business savvy.
You still have your underground scene but you also have the likes of uber kid friendly Tony Hawk. Skateboarders still have to run from the cops and suburban shopping centers, but parents shell out millions of dollars for their kids who are crying for decks and shoes and video games.
I know a lot of people want to keep the skaters in complete control.
I think you're beating a straw man here, Brains. It's never been about giving up control for a decent paycheck, everyone I know would love to do that. But how long would you continue skating if you had to pay someone to skate and they get to tell you what to do and you pay for whatever mistakes they make?
Honestly, roller derby takes up a lot of time off the track. Many times, it detracts from the time I can devote to skating. I would gladly surrender administrative duties and accept payment to just spend my time focusing on developing as a player. But, I know I am in the minority. I know a lot of people want to keep the skaters in complete control. To each their own.
Every league I'm familiar with has a committee devoted to finding sponsors. I've seen sponsor names on helmets, booty shorts, jerseys, even socks. Not to mention on almost every sort of signage at a bout.
My attitude about sponsors is:
If you can find someone to pay for something, good for you.
Atom Gear is owned by Atomatrix, so Team Bionic isn't really stepping outside of La Derby Familia with this move. You bring up a good point that that is not clear from the article as written; I'll update it to reflect that.
That said, there was some discussion of your exact concerns higher up in this very comment thread (right down to the same list of potential sponsorship companies)!
Can't believe there isn't more discussion (even outrage among those who have been involved in modern derby a long time), over the fact this team is named and sporting a logo of a company that is obviously sponsoring them? Thoughts on that folks? Is this the first step to Riedell, Bones, Triple 8, and eventually Nike across our bodies and with rights to name our teams? Or simply an extension of a small business that some of the skaters on this team work for/with?
One of the things I remember most from this bout was how much I saw DeRanged smile. There's no way she could hide how happy she was to be skating (fast!) on the banked track for this new team.
The other thing I remember most is asking some of the out-of-state Team Bionic skaters to introduce themselves on camera. They decided to write a whole script, which they performed. It's the first section of my highlights reel, which you can watch here:
The Polk Bay area lastly had a group, but the area in St. Petersburg was already in need of an update. In 1993, the area was rebranded the Thunderdome and became the home of the Polk Bay Super basketball group and the Polk Bay Weather Market Baseball Group group. rays tickets | orioles tickets | phillies tickets
I've joined the G+ group, but I've never even heard of Google groups. I just looked it up, though, and applied. I'll never be a skater (I'm a dude, plus poor balance would keep me off skates) or a Ref, but I'd love to volunteer in some capacity. I've been talking derby up to anyone who will listen for the past few months. I think I've convinced my family to come to February's bout.
Wow, thank you for loving DC rollergirls and the whips (yay whips!) So much. You've kind of blown us all away with your excitement. If you haven't done it yet may I suggest joining the dcrg Google group because the league would love to know who our super fan is. ;)
Hugs & bruises,
Sheezah Screamer
Roller derby is played almost every weekend already, sadly not enough leagues produce video streams for DNN to show on a around the year basis.
Great start of your home season DC and best of luck.
We want video, DC. ;-)
I just started getting into derby at the start of DCRG's season, and I'm already a super fan. Competitions of any sort are more fun to watch when you have someone to cheer for, so I picked the Whips purely because they were the newest team, and I love an underdog (and the color green, for that matter). They may have lost this last bout, but they certainly played hard. It was fantastic to watch. Every time I go to a bout I'm super pumped about derby for at least the next week. I wish they played every weekend!
I tip my hat to you ladies for stomping out 4 games in a very short time frame on Sunday at The Gov. Cup
Now go get some rest.
Assassination City is missing from the 2011 lineup.
Good article. Thanks for breaking it down.
It would be seriously Bad News if Chico sponsored a team not named the Bears.
What's more derby than a derby skater owned microbusiness that manufactures gear made just for us taking some of her company's income and supporting a team that showcases some of the best skaters in the sport?
Can I get like a million amens here? Now how about a few more.
Not that this is a realistic concern, but on the subject of money in derby, can we get some opinions from people who quit playing because they couldn't afford to any more? I'm sure they'd love to move towards getting some expenses paid. What's wrong with that coming from a derby-owned business? There's no selling out here if you're advocating a product that you actually do like.
I mean, sponsorships are fine. Logos on uniforms are fine. But having the sponsor logo take precedence over the team's logo, or even naming a team after a sponsor is somewhere I'm not interested seeing the sport go.
It really isn't. I don't think there are enough derby companies with the funds to do this nor enough outside interest in the sport yet for this to be a concern for a while. Derby players are rather picky despite always looking for a sponsorship opportunity. So any fears of derby turning into NASCAR or the EPL are a bit unfounded. The only other time I have heard of something like this was with the PNW irregular team "Trouble Brewing". If you even see the logo on the uniforms you will see it is Starbucks. Starbucks put up the money for the jerseys but in the end didn't allow the team to be called "Team Starbucks" for whatever reason.
As for Atom stepping up and helping out Missile Mountain... good for them. Atom gets some advertising for their new line & MMRD gets to keep the bank track out of the box. Plus it give a lot of skaters more time on a banked track and more variety of skating they can compete at. Honestly, I just wish we had the cash to do something similar. But we at least had 3 of our sponsored skaters in the bout, 2 of which were on Team Bionic. I do think in the future though we will see more derby companies getting into sponsoring individual skaters and their logos discretely being on the uniforms of those players during a bout. It cost a lot of money to play derby at the top level (flat or banked) and if companies can ease that burden even just a little, I think that is a good thing.
I don't believe there's an absolute line, but that everyone has their own personal line. If a team crosses your line, root for another team or you can just heckle. That's fun too.
Team name, the Bounty Hunters.
I think if Chico's Bail Bonds sponsors a team all these misgivings will be lain to rest.
seriously, everyone go watch Lords Of Dogtown. Skate shops and equipment manufacturers sponsoring teams is how skateboarding grew. It never lost it's edge, people still skate different styles and different types of competition, and all that happened is that it became more and more popular and allowed talented skaters to make a living skating.
Isn't that what a ton of people on the internet are constantly whingeing about wanting? To still be derby, but also be paid?
What's more derby than a derby skater owned microbusiness that manufactures gear made just for us taking some of her company's income and supporting a team that showcases some of the best skaters in the sport? Skateboarding isn't the only parallel, either.
http://youtu.be/nLOJyNPQMGM
http://vimeo.com/21237330
http://www.highroadsports.com/
Exactly!!!!
I come from the world of MMA. Years ago a small company called Tap Out ( 3guys who sold tshits out of their van) began to sponser local fighters. Because of them, many local fighters were able to hang on & compete as the sport grew. Tap Out. along with MMA & many of the fighters are well known today(15yrs later). When I retired due to a broken back, it was that fighert owned sponsership that stepped up & saved my ass.
It's not until the big sponsers come in that you may see an issue, sell-out or complete change of the game. But, don't worry, that day will come too.
Derby Owned Since 98
The Rev. Al Mighty.
Sponsered by Wicked Skatewear.
seriously, everyone go watch Lords Of Dogtown. Skate shops and equipment manufacturers sponsoring teams is how skateboarding grew. It never lost it's edge, people still skate different styles and different types of competition, and all that happened is that it became more and more popular and allowed talented skaters to make a living skating.
Isn't that what a ton of people on the internet are constantly whingeing about wanting? To still be derby, but also be paid?
What's more derby than a derby skater owned microbusiness that manufactures gear made just for us taking some of her company's income and supporting a team that showcases some of the best skaters in the sport? Skateboarding isn't the only parallel, either.
http://youtu.be/nLOJyNPQMGM
http://vimeo.com/21237330
http://www.highroadsports.com/
I mean, sponsorships are fine. Logos on uniforms are fine. But having the sponsor logo take precedence over the team's logo, or even naming a team after a sponsor is somewhere I'm not interested seeing the sport go.
I mean, who are we kidding here.
I have always said, derby can follow the model of skateboarding, if it wants to keep it's aesthetic but be business savvy.
You still have your underground scene but you also have the likes of uber kid friendly Tony Hawk. Skateboarders still have to run from the cops and suburban shopping centers, but parents shell out millions of dollars for their kids who are crying for decks and shoes and video games.
Just give it time...... it's happening.
I know a lot of people want to keep the skaters in complete control.
I think you're beating a straw man here, Brains. It's never been about giving up control for a decent paycheck, everyone I know would love to do that. But how long would you continue skating if you had to pay someone to skate and they get to tell you what to do and you pay for whatever mistakes they make?
Honestly, roller derby takes up a lot of time off the track. Many times, it detracts from the time I can devote to skating. I would gladly surrender administrative duties and accept payment to just spend my time focusing on developing as a player. But, I know I am in the minority. I know a lot of people want to keep the skaters in complete control. To each their own.
Every league I'm familiar with has a committee devoted to finding sponsors. I've seen sponsor names on helmets, booty shorts, jerseys, even socks. Not to mention on almost every sort of signage at a bout.
My attitude about sponsors is:
If you can find someone to pay for something, good for you.
Atom Gear is owned by Atomatrix, so Team Bionic isn't really stepping outside of La Derby Familia with this move. You bring up a good point that that is not clear from the article as written; I'll update it to reflect that.
That said, there was some discussion of your exact concerns higher up in this very comment thread (right down to the same list of potential sponsorship companies)!
Can't believe there isn't more discussion (even outrage among those who have been involved in modern derby a long time), over the fact this team is named and sporting a logo of a company that is obviously sponsoring them? Thoughts on that folks? Is this the first step to Riedell, Bones, Triple 8, and eventually Nike across our bodies and with rights to name our teams? Or simply an extension of a small business that some of the skaters on this team work for/with?
Go roc stars!
One of the things I remember most from this bout was how much I saw DeRanged smile. There's no way she could hide how happy she was to be skating (fast!) on the banked track for this new team.
The other thing I remember most is asking some of the out-of-state Team Bionic skaters to introduce themselves on camera. They decided to write a whole script, which they performed. It's the first section of my highlights reel, which you can watch here:
http://vimeo.com/35286238