2008... wherein i optionally use the shift key
i predict that 2008 is going to be the year that makes or breaks derby.
like it or not, the economy is looking like its going to take a bit of a hit. at least for the beginning part of the year we are all going to see financial impact both personally and league wise due to the fallout from the so called "housing crisis." this is already apparent in the stock markets taking some serious 'correction' level downturns both domestically and internationally. this in turn will lead to companies taking measures that will end up trickling down to us derbians in some manner or another. for sure it will likely impact attendance figures as pocketbooks get tighter, disposable income becomes scarcer and outings to events like roller derby bouts will become harder to financially justify.
Luckily for us, most of our bouts have admission prices that are a fraction of other sporting or entertainment events, making roller derby the affordable way to go out and be entertained. And if the Screen Writers Guild continues to strike through the year, there will be fewer reasons to stay in and watch the next reality tv shows, or even go to the movie theaters.
it all adds together to either bring us misfortune or fortune. I fear for the smaller leagues trying to gain footholds this year. i wonder about cities that have more leagues than they can handle - how will they handle things as the economy changes?
Add in the increase in gas costs, and you also see travel from derby teams decreasing due to increased costs, and a bleak outlook forms. I hope i'm wrong.
like it or not, the economy is looking like its going to take a bit of a hit. at least for the beginning part of the year we are all going to see financial impact both personally and league wise due to the fallout from the so called "housing crisis." this is already apparent in the stock markets taking some serious 'correction' level downturns both domestically and internationally. this in turn will lead to companies taking measures that will end up trickling down to us derbians in some manner or another. for sure it will likely impact attendance figures as pocketbooks get tighter, disposable income becomes scarcer and outings to events like roller derby bouts will become harder to financially justify.
Luckily for us, most of our bouts have admission prices that are a fraction of other sporting or entertainment events, making roller derby the affordable way to go out and be entertained. And if the Screen Writers Guild continues to strike through the year, there will be fewer reasons to stay in and watch the next reality tv shows, or even go to the movie theaters.
it all adds together to either bring us misfortune or fortune. I fear for the smaller leagues trying to gain footholds this year. i wonder about cities that have more leagues than they can handle - how will they handle things as the economy changes?
Add in the increase in gas costs, and you also see travel from derby teams decreasing due to increased costs, and a bleak outlook forms. I hope i'm wrong.
posted by spike at
5:01 PM
5 Comments:
Dude totally! I share the same fears as my league is venturing into our first season. Lucky for us we're the only show in town.
Jesus mother that was depressing. Chinup rollergirl!
Packed houses at all 2007 matches seems to be a nice indicator to me. There will always be an audience for cheap entertainment involving babes n' sweat. The cheap beer didn't hurt either (actually one night it did).
My opinion: yur gonna make derby.
Spike, as my day job is in the credit card industry, I know why your mind is on the economy and how it will effect all of us. But think about this, when people don't have extra income, they look for cheaper entertainment.
Most derby games I've seen have ticket proces equal to a movie, but FAR below the still packed NFL football, NHL Hockey, and NBA stadiums across the land. Well cheaper than a night out at a bar.
Maybe the economy will hurt the travel teams a bit, the league profit line as a whole, but I think it's going to be good for derby in general.
Roller Derby historically seems to have cranked up during recessions. the original roller derby actually came from that when during the depression the dance marathons generated the original skating marathons that birthed roller derby. Am I right or is my brain tired and you're going to tell me to go re-read my roller derby history lessons?
We can weather this, we can do it!
I agree with Nia. roller derby sprung up from the Depression, so as people have less disposable income, they are looking for cheaper things to do. i love when i have a weekend full of practice as it means i don;t have to spend any money (other than when the new merch comes in. dang!). I'd like to beleive that the determined hearts of those involved in derby in the UK can overcome this possible threat.
This is why we have the league structure rather than clubs so that roller derby can grow anywhere it can plant it's toestops in a self-sufficient manner without relying on outside assistance, even from other leagues. Creativity it is said comes when you slash the budget to zero. Roller Derby is visceral, local and offering a better bang for your buck than a great manner other forms of entertainment. This revivals got the DIY roots to weather the coming storms.
Sure regional and national tourneys are the tippermost toppermost level of play right now, and as Nia says they may well suffer for all the reasons you've given. The local intraleague matches that help build the sports strength in depth are more important at this stage of the sports growth.
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