Two years ago, my family was at a San Jose Sharks hockey game, not long after attending an SF Giants baseball game. During the hockey game, my 4-year old daughter turned and asked me that question. My jaw dropped and I immediately decided to get season tickets to the new WNBA team launching in San Francisco.
I was already WNBA-curious, inspired partly by comedian Bill Burr’s provocative Red Rocks comedy special, where he famously asked “Ladies, name your top 5 WNBA players.” He pointed out that most women aren’t familiar with their local WNBA teams, and that the pay disparity between professional athletes is due in part to ticket sales.
Getting to know the Valkyries has been a life-changing and life-affirming experience. The Valkyries have changed how much I care about sports, how I socialize with friends, how I spend my money, how I interact with San Franciscans, and how I view my role as a community leader. And my closet has a lot more lavender in it. Bringing friends and family to their first Valkyries game is one of my favorite things to do.
Tonight, on Halloween, we put a TV and chairs outside so that anyone who was trick-or-treating in our neighborhood could sit, hang out, and watch the Valkyries play game seven of the WNBA finals. Seeing my 6-year old daughter, who stayed and watched the entire game instead of trick-or-treating, surrounded by neighbors and fans, all cheering loudly for the Valkyries, as they won the WNBA championship, was a full-circle moment.
And to answer Bill Burr’s question, my favorite player is #22 Veronica Burton, our point guard. I love her calm energy in the midst of all the action, and how she earned the nickname “Big Shot Burton” for some incredible three-pointers. My daughter’s favorite player is #1 Gabby Williams because she’s awesome (MVP!) and her hair looked really pretty the first time we saw her play. My son’s favorite player is #2 Kaitlyn Chen because she reminds him of Steph Curry and she scores a lot of points. My husband’s favorite player is #24 Cecilia Zandalasini because she’s not afraid to take risks. And don’t get me started on how much I love Coach Nakase. I hope she writes a book one day. That woman is a genius.
So yes, we watch girls play sports too, baby girl. Sometimes mama just needs a preschooler to remind her to buy the tickets.
