Maximizing Profit

Seltzer's new contest was billed as spanning the equivalent of 4,000 miles, the length of San Diego to New York City. By September, 3,000 people had joined the Transcontinental Roller Derby Association, each paying $2 at 1,600 rinks across the country. For years, it continued to grow in popularity.

Getting Rough 

After witnessing a match in Miami, a journalist named Damon Runyon encouraged Seltzer to capitalize on physical violence. Dangerous crashes and collisions only made the sport more exciting for spectators. Seltzer tentatively implemented a new set of rules...