Golden State Valkyries Overview
The Golden State Valkyries are a professional women’s basketball team based in the San Francisco Bay Area competing in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Western Conference. Established in 2025, they play their home games at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, with Jess Smith serving as president and Natalie Nakase as head coach, the Valkyries have quickly established a strong identity marked by their violet, gold, black, and white team colors and their mascot, Violet the raven.
Founding and Organizational Origins
The Golden State Valkyries were founded in 2025 as the first WNBA expansion team since 2008, marking a significant return of professional women’s basketball to the San Francisco Bay Area following the folding of the Sacramento Monarchs in 2009. The team was created through the efforts of NBA Golden State Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, who finalized the agreement to start the franchise in 2023. Lacob brought prior experience in women’s basketball as a founder of the American Basketball League and owner of the San Jose Lasers. The franchise was launched with an expansion fee reported to be $50 million over ten years.
Growth Into WNBA Competition
Officially announced in October 2023, the Valkyries began assembling their leadership and roster in 2024, hiring Jess Smith as president and Ohemaa Nyanin as general manager. The team revealed its name, logos, and uniforms in May 2024, with branding that honors the Bay Area through imagery of the Bay Bridge and Norse mythology. The Valkyries participated in the WNBA expansion draft in December 2024 and prepared for their inaugural season with a strong fan response, including thousands of season ticket deposits.
Golden State Valkyries Competitive Journey
Since entering the league in 2025, the Golden State Valkyries have made a remarkable impact, quickly establishing themselves as a competitive team in the WNBA through a combination of strategic leadership, talented players, and strong community support.
Early Seasons and Development (2025)
The Valkyries debuted on May 16, 2025, with a close loss to the Los Angeles Sparks but secured their first win five days later against the Washington Mystics. Despite some challenges mid-season, including a key injury to star forward Kayla Thornton, the team finished their inaugural month with a solid record and continued to build momentum. Their roster, composed of former role players, international talents, and promising rookies, defied expectations and quickly gained league recognition.
Breakthrough in WNBA (2025)
The 2025 season was historic for the Golden State Valkyries, as they set a WNBA record for most wins by an expansion team in their first year with 18 victories, surpassing the previous record held by the 1998 Detroit Shock. They became the first expansion franchise to reach the WNBA playoffs in their inaugural season, finishing with a 23–21 record and securing the eighth seed. The team also set attendance records at the Chase Center, selling out all 22 home games and achieving the highest total and average attendance figures for the regular season. Head coach Natalie Nakase was honored as the WNBA Coach of the Year, while players Veronica Burton and Janelle Salaün received individual awards for their performances.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2025–Present)
The Golden State Valkyries continue to build on their strong foundation with a focus on competitive excellence and community engagement. Under the leadership of president Jess Smith and general manager Ohemaa Nyanin, the team maintains a commitment to developing talent and fostering a winning culture. The Valkyries benefit from their relationship with the Chase Center, a state-of-the-art arena that supports both their home games and fan experience. Their long-term goals include sustained playoff appearances and establishing themselves as a dominant force in the Western Conference.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Valkyries emphasize resilience, teamwork, and strategic play, excelling in both offensive versatility and defensive intensity. Their identity is shaped by a blend of experienced veterans and dynamic young players who contribute to a balanced and adaptable style of basketball.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key milestones for the Valkyries include their first regular-season win, setting the expansion team wins record, and becoming the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their debut season. The sellout of all home games and the recognition of their coach and players with league awards highlight their rapid rise and significant impact on the WNBA.
Golden State Valkyries Achievements and Results
In their inaugural season, the Golden State Valkyries achieved several historic accomplishments, including record-setting wins for an expansion team, playoff qualification, and strong attendance figures. Their success has been recognized through multiple league awards for coaching and player development.
WNBA Achievements
The Valkyries secured 23 wins in their first season, setting a new WNBA record for expansion teams. Their playoff berth marked a first in league history for a debut franchise. The team’s competitive performance and fan engagement have established them as a notable presence in the league.
Conference Achievements
Competing in the Western Conference, the Valkyries quickly became playoff contenders, finishing the regular season in eighth place and challenging established teams. Their strong conference play demonstrated their ability to compete at a high level early in their existence.
Divisional Achievements
While specific divisional titles are not recorded, the Valkyries’ competitive results within their division contributed to their overall success and playoff qualification.
Series Achievements
As a new franchise, the Valkyries have made significant strides in the WNBA series, setting records and earning accolades that position them for continued growth and success in future seasons.
