2016 International Tournaments

When watching the 2016 International WFTDA Playoffs, it’s easy to feel like we know every team and every player personally, complete with back story and game stats. For most of us, that’s largely thanks to the top-flight announcer crew assembled by WFTDA Talent Management Committee. Much like teams strive to create all-star charters, WFTDA Talent Management Committee Chair Sasha “Kim Deal With It” Morrigan is charged with crafting the perfect balance of on-air and in-venue talent to keep audiences engaged and eager for more derby, whether at home or attending in person.

After much consideration, the WFTDA is pleased to reveal the announcers for the 2016 International WFTDA Championships, which will take place November 4-6 in Portland, Oregon. They are:

Tournament Head Announcer: Sasha “Kim Deal With It” Morrigan

Broadcast Announcers: AK-40oz, Double H, Lightning Slim, Mike Chexx, Miss Moxxxie, Mr Whistler, Tara Armov
Broadcast Producers: Amy Jo Moore, Ophelia Melons, Shady Hawkins
Broadcast Sideline Reporters: Derby Nerd, Sissy Splaysek

Venue Announcers: Allie Gator, Kasey Bomber, Layla Smackdown, Scott Chicken, Vince Hannity, Wilhelm Scream

Emcees: Raucous Ron, The King

Social Media Hosts: Andy Marron, Hammer Abby, Plastik Patrik

Even when putting together broadcast, in-venue and social media teams production teams, Morrigan had difficulty narrowing selecting final candidates from the talent application pool.

“Champs is almost an embarrassment of riches, because you could take two top-level announcing crews and still have to make painful cuts,” she said.

Creating the perfect announcing crew mix is just as delicate an operation as toe-stopping up the inside line. Morrigan considers the announcers’ applications and performance at previous games at the 2016 International WFTDA Playoffs, but she also considers her own notes on all the footage she watches throughout the year, announcer feedback, and audience relationship.

“What I usually recommend as far as putting together their crews, and what I do when I’m the Tournament Head Announcer myself, is to focus on the chemistry of your crew,” she explained. “Do you feel they will get along, do you feel that you can pair anyone on your crew and it will work, do you feel like you have a good balance of play by play and color commentary?”

Different positions require different strengths, such as the audience-energizing enthusiasm of in-venue personnel and strategy expertise of broadcast crews. The final group for the 2016 Championships spans age, experience, home team — and, in 2016, what Morrigan describes as “the most gender balance of any Champs crew ever before,” in which she takes great pride.

In addition, the 2016 Championships also mark the introduction of a new position: social media host.

“Watching the games on WFTDA.tv is great, but things like our Facebook Live broadcasts and our Snapchat account add an extra layer to our presentation,” Morrigan said. “By dedicating a few of our announcers to this role, we can give you a great look into what's happening outside of gameplay. While we're all here for the game, our fans at home miss out on some of the tournament experience, and this is a way to help you resolve your FOMO.”

And don’t worry, derby fans — announcers get just as excited about high-level derby as you do.

“I mean, you're telling me I get to be in the building when Texas plays Rat City, with the winner going on to play Rose City (who are only the second team in WFTDA history to get a shot to defend the Hydra in their own city, the first being Rocky Mountain in 2011)? I get to see the Champs debut of Montreal?” enthused Morrigan, revealing her proud Canadian roots. “I get to watch Denver vs. Arch Rival, who played to a three-point finish when they played back in June, and the winner gets London? Not to mention Minnesota vs. Jacksonville with the winner facing VRDL, or the aforementioned Montreal vs. Angel City and the winner goes up against Gotham? And I may get to be the one to talk about those games while the world is watching on? Yes, please!”

Are you as excited about Champs as the announcing crew? You can join the broadcast crew on WFTDA.tv by purchasing a pass here, or join the venue crew in person by purchasing a ticket here.