As the WNBA slowly bleeds into the mainstream sports agenda in the US, they received their first expansion team in 17 years, the Golden State Valkyries, a sister team to the Golden State Warriors and a new Bay Area staple in the sports scene. The Valkyries share the Chase Center with the Warriors, and although expectations were rather modest for their debut, the team exceeded them, setting a new standard for their franchise and future WNBA expansion teams to come.
The Valkyries originally faced an uphill climb in their inaugural season. Tasked with building a front office from the ground up and assembling a roster ready for competition. Two key figures were instrumental in their success: general manager, Ohemaa Nyanin and head coach, Natalie Nakase. Nyanin had worked in multiple front offices for women’s basketball before including the New York Liberty, one of the league’s original franchises. Meanwhile, Nakase coached in both men’s and women’s professional teams, and prior to becoming the Valkyries first ever head coach, she helped the Las Vegas Aces to 2 WNBA championships.
With the staff set, the Valkyries had some other advantages that assisted in their first year success. They had a state-of-the-art practice facility in Oakland and sold 10,000 season tickets, the first league team to do so.
To assemble a roster, the team participated in an expansion draft in December of 2024, where the WNBA allows an expansion team to draft from a player of current WNBA players. Existing franchises are allowed to protect 6 players on their own roster. Seven of eleven draft selects were international, Americans included, Kayla Thorton, Veronica Burton, Kate Martin, and Monique Billings.
The Valkyries added three more players in the 2025 WNBA Draft, including UConn standout Kaitlyn Chen, whose presence has been especially impactful in connecting the franchise with the Bay Area’s Asian community and fan base.
The foundation was strong for this team. They had a great staff, strong investors, a competitive roster, and a strong fan base who supported them in their first year.
The Golden State Valkyries fought all season long for a first year playoff contention and broke records along the way. They finished the year 23-21, the most wins by an expansion team. With a 14-8 home record, they were the first WNBA team to sell out every home game. Their impact extended beyond the court, leading the league in both average attendance (nearly 18,000) and total fans during a debut season(nearly 400,000). The energy was undeniable, the fanbase relentless, and soon their home court earned a fitting nickname: “Ballhalla,” a nod to their Nordic-inspired identity.
From an economic standpoint, the Golden State Valkyries were valued at $500 million—a new record not only for the WNBA, but for women’s professional sports across all leagues. This was driven by sponsors, ticket sales, record-breaking revenue, and the teams first year success reaching the playoffs.
Numbers wise, the Valkyries raised the roof for all of women’s sports. But what made this team so special and successful was their court presence as well.
The Golden State Valkyries were the first ever expansion team to earn a playoff spot in the franchise’s inaugural year. After defeating the Dallas Wings on September 4th, in a nail biting finish, the Valkyries punched in the 8-seed for the 2025 WNBA playoffs.
The Golden State Valkyries had franchise success, team success and individual success. Leading the team to their first playoff berth would pay off as Natalie Nakase was awarded Coach of the Year in the league for 2025. Not only that but expansion draftee Veronica Burton was also awarded Most Improved Player in the league. Two huge accomplishments to be held in high regard for the franchise’s start.
Another expansion draftee, Kayla Thornton was selected as an 2025 WNBA All-Star, the first in her career and the first All-Star for the new franchise. She averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists with 1.3 steals in the 2025 season before injuring her knee in practice the week following the All-Star game in July. She was ruled out for the rest of the season, but was the driving force when on the court for this team.
Although the Valkyries made the playoffs, their post-season would come short. They fell to the 1-seed Minnesota Lynx in an heartbreaking fashion. After losing the first game in a best of three, they came out game two with a statement. With a 14 point lead entering the 4th quarter, the Lynx managed to put on the 4th-largest 4th quarter comeback in WNBA playoff history, winning 75-74. They swept the Valkyries, 2-0 in the first round, led by MVP front runner, Napheesa Collier and Co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith.
Collier looked to be relieved in her post game interview, knowing the Valkyries stuck around until the end and praising the first year team. But even with this loss, the team will walk away from the 2025 season into the next season with high heads.
The Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural season was nothing short of historic. From building a competitive roster from scratch to breaking attendance records and making playoff history, they redefined what an expansion team can achieve in professional sports. With a loyal fan base behind them, a front office and coaching staff that proved their vision, and players already earning league honors, the Valkyries have laid a foundation built to last. Their first year wasn’t just about exceeding expectations—it was about setting a new standard for women’s basketball and expansion franchises alike. If year one was any indication, the Valkyries’ story is only beginning, and the future promises even greater heights.
The Valkyries originally faced an uphill climb in their inaugural season. Tasked with building a front office from the ground up and assembling a roster ready for competition. Two key figures were instrumental in their success: general manager, Ohemaa Nyanin and head coach, Natalie Nakase. Nyanin had worked in multiple front offices for women’s basketball before including the New York Liberty, one of the league’s original franchises. Meanwhile, Nakase coached in both men’s and women’s professional teams, and prior to becoming the Valkyries first ever head coach, she helped the Las Vegas Aces to 2 WNBA championships.
With the staff set, the Valkyries had some other advantages that assisted in their first year success. They had a state-of-the-art practice facility in Oakland and sold 10,000 season tickets, the first league team to do so.
To assemble a roster, the team participated in an expansion draft in December of 2024, where the WNBA allows an expansion team to draft from a player of current WNBA players. Existing franchises are allowed to protect 6 players on their own roster. Seven of eleven draft selects were international, Americans included, Kayla Thorton, Veronica Burton, Kate Martin, and Monique Billings.
The Valkyries added three more players in the 2025 WNBA Draft, including UConn standout Kaitlyn Chen, whose presence has been especially impactful in connecting the franchise with the Bay Area’s Asian community and fan base.
The foundation was strong for this team. They had a great staff, strong investors, a competitive roster, and a strong fan base who supported them in their first year.
The Golden State Valkyries fought all season long for a first year playoff contention and broke records along the way. They finished the year 23-21, the most wins by an expansion team. With a 14-8 home record, they were the first WNBA team to sell out every home game. Their impact extended beyond the court, leading the league in both average attendance (nearly 18,000) and total fans during a debut season(nearly 400,000). The energy was undeniable, the fanbase relentless, and soon their home court earned a fitting nickname: “Ballhalla,” a nod to their Nordic-inspired identity.
From an economic standpoint, the Golden State Valkyries were valued at $500 million—a new record not only for the WNBA, but for women’s professional sports across all leagues. This was driven by sponsors, ticket sales, record-breaking revenue, and the teams first year success reaching the playoffs.
Numbers wise, the Valkyries raised the roof for all of women’s sports. But what made this team so special and successful was their court presence as well.
The Golden State Valkyries were the first ever expansion team to earn a playoff spot in the franchise’s inaugural year. After defeating the Dallas Wings on September 4th, in a nail biting finish, the Valkyries punched in the 8-seed for the 2025 WNBA playoffs.
The Golden State Valkyries had franchise success, team success and individual success. Leading the team to their first playoff berth would pay off as Natalie Nakase was awarded Coach of the Year in the league for 2025. Not only that but expansion draftee Veronica Burton was also awarded Most Improved Player in the league. Two huge accomplishments to be held in high regard for the franchise’s start.
Another expansion draftee, Kayla Thornton was selected as an 2025 WNBA All-Star, the first in her career and the first All-Star for the new franchise. She averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists with 1.3 steals in the 2025 season before injuring her knee in practice the week following the All-Star game in July. She was ruled out for the rest of the season, but was the driving force when on the court for this team.
Although the Valkyries made the playoffs, their post-season would come short. They fell to the 1-seed Minnesota Lynx in an heartbreaking fashion. After losing the first game in a best of three, they came out game two with a statement. With a 14 point lead entering the 4th quarter, the Lynx managed to put on the 4th-largest 4th quarter comeback in WNBA playoff history, winning 75-74. They swept the Valkyries, 2-0 in the first round, led by MVP front runner, Napheesa Collier and Co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith.
Collier looked to be relieved in her post game interview, knowing the Valkyries stuck around until the end and praising the first year team. But even with this loss, the team will walk away from the 2025 season into the next season with high heads.
The Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural season was nothing short of historic. From building a competitive roster from scratch to breaking attendance records and making playoff history, they redefined what an expansion team can achieve in professional sports. With a loyal fan base behind them, a front office and coaching staff that proved their vision, and players already earning league honors, the Valkyries have laid a foundation built to last. Their first year wasn’t just about exceeding expectations—it was about setting a new standard for women’s basketball and expansion franchises alike. If year one was any indication, the Valkyries’ story is only beginning, and the future promises even greater heights.
