The banking industry is organized crime, but so is scholastic chess — we’re all looking the other way. Since Chase is a major partner for the Golden State Valkyries (Chase owns the naming rights to the arena, and their label is plastered on every damn thing), I thought to apply for a Chase credit card. Maybe I’ll put my season ticket on it.
My season ticket at Sacramento’s Arco Arena for the 2005 WNBA champion Monarchs was around $600, for 17 home games times $35. Fifth row, facing the opposing bench, a really good place to sit. The same seat in the Chase Center for the Golden State Valkyries, who figure to be a bad expansion team for a couple of years, will cost at least $40,000.
I planned to move to Salt Lake when there was nothing keeping me here. Then three chess clubs asked me to conduct weekly lectures, to go along with six paid classes. The paid gigs aren’t much fun — one kid in 10,000 goes on to be an excellent player, while most of the other 9,999 would rather be anywhere else than my class — but the unpaid gigs are terrific, because everyone wants to be there.
So work is more fun, and I miss having a WNBA team to care about. On the other hand, they’re asking for a LOT of money. It’s pretty funny that moving is the less expensive option.
I went into a Chase branch, and provided the requested information. “Occupation?” said the banker.
“Teacher”, I said. I’m not getting paid to write anything these days.
“I used to be a teacher”, she said. “I graduated with a bachelor’s in mathematics, and a master’s in physics…”
“And you’re working here?”.
I was approved for a $5000 card instant cashback rewards if I spend lots. Boy, I’m sure glad basketball tickets are $2000. I can put two whole games on this card, and get cashback for a beer.
Perhaps I should still be thinking about getting a job with the Valkyries, though I doubt a good seat is a perk of employment.
Besides the Lynx, the Sun, and their friends and families, does anyone care who wins tonight’s loser-goes-home WNBA semifinal game.