Ohio Roller Derby

What Ohio Roller Derby does

Ohio Roller Derby (OHRD) is a Columbus, Ohio-based, volunteer-run nonprofit athletic organization that promotes flat track roller derby with a stated focus on empowerment and development of women and gender-expansive people. Founded in 2005 as Ohio's first Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) team and a founding member of that governing body, the league operates two competitive teams — the All Stars (internationally ranked WFTDA competitors) and Gang Green (developmental) — alongside a tiered onboarding pipeline comprising Skating 101 (six-week beginner sessions at $60) and the Recreational Program ($60 per six-week session) that feeds into competitive membership at $45 per month. WFTDA insurance ($75/year) is mandatory for all participants practicing in league facilities, and loaner gear is available to reduce equipment barriers. The organization is governed collectively by approximately 70 members (skaters, coaches, officials, announcers, photographers, and management volunteers) drawn from Central Ohio professions, and has accumulated 221 sanctioned games and 135 sanctioned wins over its 20-year history.

Name

Ohio Roller Derby

Legal name

Ohio Roller Derby

Website

https://ohiorollerderby.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ohio Roller Derby is a volunteer-run, nonprofit flat track roller derby league in Columbus, Ohio, offering tiered programming from beginner skating classes through WFTDA-ranked competitive teams for women and gender-expansive participants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Skating members pay monthly dues ($45/month for competitive skaters) and one-time fees for programs like Skating 101 ($60 per 6-week session) and Rec Program ($60 per 6-week session). Skaters also fund their own gear, insurance ($75/year WFTDA coverage), and travel costs.
2. Ticket Sales: Single-game tickets sold through SimpleTix platform for home games at Ohio Expo Center venues. Children 7 and under admitted free. Revenue supports league operations including practice space rental, tournament fees, and supplies.
3. Merchandise Sales: Ohio Roller Derby merchandise shop selling t-shirts, hoodies, and other branded items. Merchandise available at games and potentially online.
4. Advertising and Partnerships: Sponsors and advertising partners provide revenue through signage, naming rights, program ads, scoreboard ads, announcer mentions, and website/social media promotion. Partnership packages offered at various tiers. Partners include Drink Me Feel Good CBD, PW Partners, Bruised Boutique Skate Shop, Reconstructive Surgical Arts, and OSU Wexner Medical Center.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ohio Roller Derby operates a tiered flat track roller derby athletic organization offering two WFTDA-competitive teams (All Stars internationally ranked, Gang Green developmental), beginner and recreational participation programs (Skating 101 and OHRP Rec Program), volunteer and officials training (NSOs and skating referees), branded merchandise, and ticketed home games at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Product overview

Ohio Roller Derby is an inclusive athletic organization offering a tiered participation structure for roller derby. The core offerings include two competitive teams: the All Stars (internationally ranked WFTDA competitors) and Gang Green (developmental team). Entry-level programs include Skating 101 (beginner 6-week sessions) and the Recreational Program (OHRP) with multiple contact levels. The organization also trains volunteers including non-skating officials (NSOs), skating referees, coaches, announcers, photographers, and videographers. A merchandise shop sells branded apparel.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• All Stars Competitive Team The premier competitive team of Ohio Roller Derby that competes in internationally ranked WFTDA gameplay against teams across the United States and internationally.
• Gang Green Developmental Team Ohio Roller Derby's developmental team consisting of up-and-coming talent that competes at a competitive level below the All Stars.
• Skating 101 Beginner Program A 6-week series of two-hour Sunday morning sessions covering basic skating skills, led by Ohio Roller Derby skaters. Designed for beginners or those returning to skating after a hiatus; WFTDA insurance ($75/year) required.
• Ohio Roller Derby Recreational Program (OHRP) The Ohio Roller Derby Recreational Program offering multiple tiers of gameplay from low contact to full contact, designed to help skaters progress at a comfortable pace through 6-week Sunday evening sessions.
• Non-Skating Officials (NSO) Training Training for non-skating officials who assist with game operations including scorekeeping, statistics, and timing jams and penalties at WFTDA-sanctioned events.
• Skating Officials (Referees) Training Training for skating officials (referees) who work alongside players to ensure safe, fair, and fun gameplay while tracking penalties during WFTDA-sanctioned bouts.
• Ohio Roller Derby Merchandise Shop Ohio Roller Derby branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, and other apparel available for purchase at games and online.
• Home Game Tickets Single-game admission tickets to Ohio Roller Derby's home games at Ohio Expo Center venues (Lausche Building, Rhodes Center, Kasich Hall), sold through the SimpleTix ticketing platform; children 7 and under admitted free.

Quantifiable outcome

• 221 sanctioned games played
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Columbus Architectural StudiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerArchitectural firm partnering with OHRD, appearing in the partners section of the website. Nature of partnership appears to be sponsorship or advertising support.
• Reconstructive Surgical ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical practice specializing in reconstructive surgery, partnering with OHRD as shown in the partners section. Likely provides advertising or sponsorship support to the league.
• OSU Wexner Medical CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports medicine provider from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center partnering with OHRD. Appears in the partners section and provides sports medicine services to athletes.
• Drink Me Feel Good CBDminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCBD beverage company advertising with OHRD. Logo appears on the sponsor page indicating partnership/advertising relationship.
• PW PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAccounting firm (CPAs) advertising with OHRD. Logo appears on the sponsor page indicating partnership/advertising relationship.
• S&O Master LogominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner appearing on the sponsor page with logo displayed. Nature of partnership is advertising/sponsorship support.
• Bruised Boutique Skate ShopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSkate shop specializing in roller skating equipment, partnering with OHRD. Likely provides equipment support, sponsorship, or co-marketing as a relevant vendor.
• Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOHRD is a proud founding member of WFTDA, the sport's governing body. The league competes under WFTDA rules and participates in sanctioned games. WFTDA insurance coverage ($75/year) is required for all participants.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Mad Rollin' Dolls (Madison, WI): Madison, Wisconsin WFTDA flat track roller derby league. Comparable Midwest WFTDA peer with similar size, volunteer operation, and recreational-to-competitive membership tiers.
• Gotham Girls Roller Derby: New York City-based WFTDA flat track roller derby league. Directly comparable as a long-standing, volunteer-run WFTDA founding-era league with competitive teams, recreational programming, and ticketed home events.
• Chicago Outfit Roller Derby: Chicago-based WFTDA flat track roller derby league. Comparable in structure: volunteer-run, tiered recreational-to-competitive programming, member dues, ticketed home bouts, and local sponsorship model.
• Rose City Rollers: Portland, Oregon WFTDA flat track roller derby league widely regarded as one of the top-ranked leagues globally. Comparable in format (volunteer membership, tiered teams, sanctioned WFTDA competition) and a benchmark for competitive WFTDA ranking.
• Detroit Roller Derby: WFTDA-member flat track roller derby league based in Detroit. Directly comparable as a volunteer-run, women's/gender-inclusive flat track league competing under the same WFTDA ruleset with a similar tiered participation model.
• Arch Rival Roller Derby (St. Louis): St. Louis-based WFTDA flat track roller derby league. Comparable as a Midwest WFTDA peer with similar volunteer structure, tiered membership, home-bout ticket revenue, and local sponsorship mix.

Others

• Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA): The governing body of flat track roller derby and OHRD's core strategic partner. Comparable as an ecosystem participant setting the rules, insurance requirements, and rankings that define OHRD's operating environment.
• Bruised Boutique Skate Shop: Roller skate equipment retailer and OHRD sponsor. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant — supplies gear to participants and supports the league commercially.

Regional players

• Columbus Crew (MLS): Professional men's soccer franchise also based in Columbus, Ohio. Comparable only as a Columbus-based spectator sports operator competing for the same local sports-fan and sponsorship dollars.
• Naptown Roller Derby: Indianapolis-based WFTDA flat track roller derby league. Comparable in format but operates in a different geographic market from Ohio Roller Derby, serving as a regional rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ohiorollerderby
• Facebookfacebook.com/OhioRollerDerby
• Instagraminstagram.com/ohio_roller_derby
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ohio-roller-girls-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ohio Roller Derby