The Rise and Fall of Roller Hockey International: Why Pro Roller Hockey Struggles to Survive

Roller Hockey International (RHI) burst onto the scene in 1993 with big dreams and a bold vision. Founded by Dennis Murphy, a sports entrepreneur with a track record of launching unconventional leagues like the American Basketball Association and World Hockey Association, RHI aimed to capitalize on the inline skating craze of the early 1990s. For a moment, it seemed like roller hockey might carve out a lasting niche in the North American sports landscape. But by 1999, RHI had folded, and today, professional roller hockey remains absent from the mainstream. What happened to RHI, and why hasn’t a pro roller hockey league emerged to take its place? Let’s dive into the story and explore the challenges that continue to hold the sport back.

The Glory Days of Roller Hockey International

RHI launched with a clear strategy: ride the wave of inline skating’s popularity and offer a fast-paced, accessible alternative to ice hockey. The league attracted minor league ice hockey players looking for summer gigs, as well as a few former NHL names like Nick Fotiu and Bryan Trottier. Teams like the Anaheim Bullfrogs drew impressive crowds—averaging 9,000 fans per game at their peak—and the 1993 All-Star Game in Vancouver pulled in over 16,000 spectators. With 24 teams by 1994 and games broadcast on ESPN2, RHI seemed poised for growth.

The league’s structure was innovative for its time. Instead of guaranteed contracts, players split prize money, keeping costs low and incentivizing performance. Games were played on SportCourt surfaces in arenas, with rules tweaked to emphasize speed and scoring—four players per side instead of five, shorter penalties, and a shootout to settle ties. RHI even inspired a Super Nintendo game (though it was never released) and had a call-in hotline for fans to get stats and interviews. For a brief moment, roller hockey felt like it could challenge ice hockey’s dominance.

The Cracks in the Foundation

Despite early success, RHI’s foundation was shaky. The league expanded too quickly, doubling to 24 teams in 1994, which diluted talent and strained finances. Many franchises were unstable, with some folding mid-season or relocating after just a year. Attendance varied wildly—while the Bullfrogs thrived, seven teams averaged under 4,000 fans by 1996, and the league’s overall average hovered around 5,000. The inline skating boom, which RHI banked on, began to fade as the 1990s progressed, taking away the cultural momentum the league needed.

A critical blow came in 1996 when ESPN declined to renew its TV contract. Without national exposure, RHI struggled to attract sponsors and fans. The league canceled its 1998 season, returned briefly in 1999 with just 10 teams, and folded for good in 2001 after limping along with games mostly in California. Two teams, the Buffalo Wings and Anaheim Bullfrogs, joined Major League Roller Hockey (MLRH), but that league also fizzled out by the early 2000s.

Behind the scenes, mismanagement and infighting didn’t help. A dispute over a patented puck design, which generated millions, reportedly caused rifts among league founders. Front-office instability and a lack of cohesive leadership further eroded RHI’s credibility. By the time the league collapsed, it had racked up $40 million in losses, leaving a sour taste for investors and players alike.

Why No Pro Roller Hockey League Today?

The absence of a professional roller hockey league in 2025 stems from a mix of structural, cultural, and economic hurdles that RHI’s failure laid bare. Here’s why the sport hasn’t made a comeback at the pro level:

• Lack of Mainstream Appeal
  Roller hockey’s biggest challenge is its niche status. While ice hockey has a century-long tradition, global reach, and the NHL’s massive brand, roller hockey struggles to stand out. The inline skating fad that fueled RHI’s early success is long gone, and without a cultural hook, the sport lacks the casual fanbase needed to sustain a pro league. Even at its peak, RHI was often seen as a novelty—more roller derby than serious competition—which made it hard to build lasting loyalty.
• Competition from Ice Hockey
  Ice hockey dominates the hockey world, especially in North America. The NHL, with its billion-dollar revenues and international talent pool, overshadows any attempt to professionalize roller hockey. Many players who might excel in roller hockey—often ice hockey players in the offseason—prioritize ice because it offers better pay, prestige, and career longevity. Why risk a pro roller league when ice hockey rinks are already booked year-round?
• Economic Barriers
  Starting a pro league is insanely expensive. Arenas, equipment, player salaries, and marketing all require heavy investment, and roller hockey lacks the corporate backing or media deals to make it viable. RHI’s collapse scared off potential investors, who saw firsthand how quickly losses can pile up. Without a major TV contract or deep-pocketed sponsors, a new league would struggle to survive its first season.
• Fragmented Infrastructure
  Roller hockey thrives at the amateur and youth levels—think tournaments like NARCh or State Wars—but there’s no unified pipeline to professional play. Leagues like MLRH and the Professional Inline Hockey Association (PIHA) have tried to fill the gap, but they’ve either gone defunct or operate on a semi-pro scale with limited reach. Without a centralized governing body or consistent rink availability (many facilities prioritize ice or other sports), building a pro league from the ground up is a logistical nightmare.
• Cultural Shifts in Sports Consumption
  Today’s sports fans gravitate toward established leagues or viral, bite-sized content like esports or streetball. Roller hockey, with its fast but less polished product, struggles to compete for attention. Even successful niche sports like lacrosse or ultimate frisbee have leaned on grassroots communities and college programs to grow—something roller hockey lacks at a national level.

Could Pro Roller Hockey Ever Return?

Despite the challenges, there’s still a spark of hope for roller hockey enthusiasts. The sport remains popular at the youth and amateur levels, with players like Bobby Ryan and T.J. Oshie crediting roller hockey for their NHL success. International tournaments, sanctioned by groups like World Skate, show the game has global potential. Some argue that making roller hockey an Olympic sport could reignite interest, much like beach volleyball’s inclusion boosted its profile.

A modern pro league would need to learn from RHI’s mistakes. Smaller, regional circuits with lower overhead could build a sustainable base. Leveraging social media and streaming platforms like Twitch or YouTube could attract younger fans without relying on traditional TV. Focusing on local rivalries and affordable tickets might draw crowds in hockey-hungry markets like Southern California or the Midwest. But it would take a visionary with deep pockets—and a tolerance for risk—to make it happen.

Final Thoughts

Roller Hockey International was a bold experiment that captured lightning in a bottle for a few years. Its collapse wasn’t just about bad luck; it exposed the structural and cultural barriers that still keep pro roller hockey on the sidelines. While the sport’s speed and accessibility make it a blast to play and watch, turning that into a viable professional league requires overcoming a steep uphill climb. For now, roller hockey lives on in rinks, tournaments, and the memories of those who saw the Bullfrogs pack arenas. But if the right pieces fall into place, who knows? Maybe one day we’ll see pro roller hockey roll back into the spotlight.