Catching up on some earlier news. As a Redskins fan, I note that this attempted policy was lame:
The Washington Redskins said yesterday they would no longer require season ticket holders who buy their seats with a credit card to use a Redskins Extra Points MasterCard, dropping a policy the team had announced only a week ago.
. . .
The requirement that fans use a Redskins credit card, which would have affected those buying tickets to FedEx Field’s 66,500 regular admission seats, was announced last week in a letter to season ticket holders. Since 2000, Redskins fans have been able to use any credit card to buy their seats, and have always been able to pay by cash or personal check. The team will continue to accept cash or checks, as well as any type of MasterCard, for seats next season.
Why this credit card?
The effect of the Extra Points card on the team’s profitability would be minimal, according to the Redskins. The Extra Points cards, issued by league sponsor MBNA Bank, help market the club’s brand and allow the team to track its customers’ spending habits, allowing more targeted advertising.
More consumer monitoring. Just another sad effort to make consumers wholly-owned subsidiaries of corporate America. Alas.