The nostalgic look back at the ’70's has brought any number of fads back, especially now in a digital environment. But can a “sport” which once was a prime time and Saturday morning syndication mainstay be on its way bac.? Probably not on the level that it once was, but according to a feature in the Westchester edition of the New York Times, Roller Derby is making a comeback. It is fast paced, has a down and dirty feel, lots of story lines and in many ways both a sex appeal and a digital play that could make the sport viable for the grassroots and the web at the same time.Regardless, the landing of an NYT story is worth a note and worth the effort for a throwback sport trying to become a 21st century niche entity.
Some other good reads…with beach volleyball helping swimming drive great NBC numbers for week one of the Olympics, it is worth reading the very well balanced WSJ piece from last week on the bright future for th.AVP Crocs Tour, by far the worldwide leader in the sport…also from the wsj.com is the first strong look at Michael Phelps marketing potential…Don Walker has a good piece in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the continued rebirth of the Brewers as a sports property at retail…the stellar MMA blog Five Ounces of Pain has some solid video on a viral campaign with the Chargers LaDanian Tomlinson and MM.”legend” Kimbo Slice, as well as a good breakdown of the financial status of the sports number two brand, ProElite…the New York Times also had a good read on the potential resurgence of downtrodden Duke football….?
