From 2007 through 2010, Michi-chan would travel to roller derby bouts in Arizona in order to record them and report on them through the various websites and social media channels of the time. The Michi-chan Derby Love Tour was our way of telling the world where Michi will be as she was known to be on the constant search for awesome derby. Michi would show up in her trademark red tartan plaid skirt or other red plaid items. The general public and the derby world knew, if Michi was there, it's going to be good. The most significant bouts, such as those that would help determine championship standing were promoted as "MUST SEE" bouts. Many of the stops on the tour included enhanced third-party promotion that not only promoted the bout but also Michi-chan's appearance. This promotion was done online, on news reports and in dedicated video commercials.
During this era, Michi also did a periodic long-form video show first called "The Arizona Derby Report" and then was renamed "Michi-chan's REAL Derby". These programs were like ESPN SportsCenter, but for roller derby in Arizona. Each show included news, scores, predictions, standings (we had a lot of home teams then) and most importantly, highlights of bouts that were visited on the Derby Love Tour. The show would also be used to promote upcoming events. Some videos recorded at the time were released "Jam by Jam" meaning the entire bout was shown but was edited to remove most of the reset time between the jams. These videos would also include Michi's unique style of play calling. On a few occasions, Michi would put the camera down and do Derby Love Live, a public appearance through arrangements with the league that would consist of a little bit of show and a lot of house announcing. Overall, the Derby Love Tour visited about 50 events, including noncompetitive events during its three and a half year run. There was a lot of derby in Arizona back then.
The return of the Michi-chan Derby Love Tour
In 2026, Michi-chan wants to revive the Derby Love Tour (DLT). Since Michi is no longer in Arizona, our prime area is now the DMVDerby area which includes Maryland, DC, Delaware and portions of Virginia. Due to other personal commitments, the number of DLT stops in 2026 will be extremely limited. Hopefully things will get better in 2027 (2027 may include an Arizona stop to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Michi-chan).
Michi-chan Sports is currently in the process of reaching out to DMVDerby leagues in order to get clearances to make things happen. We ask leagues to please respond to our requests, even if the answer is no (we hope it isn't).
What leagues need to know about a Derby Love Tour visit
Our main reasons for going is to promote derby love and to promote your league from a different perspective.
All we ask for is permission to record your bout action as well as other activities that take place during the bout which reflect derby culture (we don't go into changing areas or anywhere else private, so don't worry about that!). For the production to be a success, we will need floor access, no different than what is afforded to any other derby photographer or videographer. Our preferred location is in turn 1, right on the edge of the outer officiating lane (WFTDA)/safety zone (USARS). We prefer to be inside of barriers if there is enough area outside the outer buffer to work. Waivers will be signed if necessary. Our policy is not to enter the track during periods (even during time outs). We would like the ability to enter the track and infield at the conclusion of the half and the conclusion of the game to capture elements, such as victory laps from a different angle. This will be totally up to the league. If the league does not want us there, we will respect that.
The presence of the DLT does not interrupt your bout presentation and leagues are not required in any way to even acknowledge of the presence of the DLT at their event.
Leagues have full discretion over how much video from the bout we can release including highlight capsules (normally not exceeding 10 minutes), jam by jam coverage and/or occasional short videos.
While Michi-chan Sports will make copies of bout footage available to the participating league, we are not a replacement for your own league's photographers, videographer or for other outside videographers, such as Hit Squad TV. The Michi-chan presentation of the video is a very unique format. The format focuses on the human side of the game and not just coverage from the grandstands. Michi-chan Sports is not asking for any kind of exclusivity on the bout coverage. We do not want to disrupt your own marketing plans, just help enhance them by reaching a potentially different audience and presenting from an independent perspective.
Michi-chan Sports will not live stream events. We respect the broadcast rights of the league to provide their own live coverage and we do not want to trample on that opportunity. In addition, the Michi-chan experience is a little different than the live streaming experience for the viewer. Michi may make short live stream videos from a cell phone to promote the bout but will not include any bout footage. This type of activity is normally done prior to the bout, during intermission and/or post bout.
Michi-chan play calling may be done based on her comfort level and familiarity with the teams. Providing Michi-chan Sports with rosters including skater number and names prior to the bout will be helpful to us.
Michi-chan does not expect any payment from leagues in connection with the DLT. Any hospitality is of course, appreciated. Michi-chan Sports will pay for admission if necessary, though most leagues in the past have allowed us complementary admission like any other photographer, videographer or member of the media. If anything, treat this like a member of the media covering the event.
As of February, 2026, none of the Michi-chan channels on social media are monetized, so we are not making any side profit off of these visits. This is all about spreading derby love.
The typical DLT contingent is one person (Michi-chan) but at times may include a second person.
Access to electricity for the purpose of charging would be nice, but is not required.
Depending on the venue and where the scoreboard is located, we may bring in a laptop computer and will need WiFi access in order to bring up the event's scoreboard in order to capture the data, which will be used as part of the overall production. In those cases, access to electricity may be needed and the laptop can be placed at a location at the league's discretion, preferably near the shooting location. If we can clearly see the scoreboard, including who the jammers are, we will not need the laptop. Michi-chan Sports may publish game statistics.
Leagues involved will receive full attribution in the closing credits.
Michi-chan Sports' policy is to not dwell on recording injuries. We respect the dignity of injured skaters. During injuries, we will either stop recording or focus somewhere else during that period. Any injury footage that is caught will either be edited out or "fig leafed". The same goes for any accidental nudity that takes place during an event.
For banked track events, Michi-chan will never enter the track or infield areas unless specifically invited by a member of league leadership or delegated public relations representative. For banked track, we do desire access within "safety zones" where photographers are normally allowed but fans are not.
Michi-chan Sports will normally bring a single video camera and may bring a tripod or gimbal. Lights are never used for bout coverage. Ambient audio may be recorded, this includes the house announcer based on venue acoustics. As noted, Michi may also provide play calling, but will normally record the scores, time remaining and jammers between or during jams.
We hope this information helps answer any questions and address any concerns regarding the Michi-chan Derby Love Tour and what our intentions are. Our goal is to work together with the leagues to help promote derby, derby culture and derby love.
If you have any questions, concerns or want to help us spread our unique brand of derby love, please contact Michi-chan Sports by email at staff@michichan.com. We can't want to work with your league!
