From Expansion to Contenders
The Golden State Valkyries have secured a spot in the WNBA Finals after sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in three games. This achievement comes in only the franchise's second season, following their inaugural playoff appearance in 2025. The team will now face the Atlanta Dream, needing four more wins to claim the championship. Owner Joe Lacob had previously promised a title within the first five years, and that goal is now within reach.[S1][S2]
The Valkyries' journey to the Finals is rooted in a long history. Owner Joe Lacob first backed a professional women's team, the San Jose Lasers of the American Basketball League, in 1996. Although the ABL folded in 1998, Lacob's ambition persisted. In 2014, he publicly expressed interest in bringing a WNBA team to the Bay Area, and in 2023, San Francisco was awarded an expansion franchise set to begin play in 2025. That team became the Valkyries.[S1]
Building a Winning Culture
Head coach Natalie Nakase, the first in franchise history, has been instrumental in shaping the team's identity. Nakase, who won Coach of the Year in 2025, emphasizes a defense-first mindset and prioritizes competitive, hardworking players who put the team above themselves. Her coaching style has led the Valkyries to the league's best defense and a high-volume three-point shooting approach. Nakase previously spent three years as an assistant with the Aces, winning back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023, and ten seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers.[S1][S2]
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General manager Ohemaa Nyanin has assembled a balanced roster that skews international, with key contributions from players like Gabby Williams, who is averaging 22.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4 assists in the playoffs. The team also features international talents such as Aminata Gueye, Cecilia Zandalasini, and Janelle Salaun, along with veterans Veronica Burton, Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, and Kiah Stokes. Kaitlyn Chen, once waived, has become a valuable bench player. In the playoffs, ten players are logging at least ten minutes per game.[S2]
A Billion-Dollar Franchise
The Valkyries have quickly become a commercial powerhouse. They have sold out all 44 regular-season home games at Chase Center, nicknamed Ballhalla, and in their first season became the first WNBA team to average over 18,000 fans per game. Their valuation has surpassed $1 billion, making them the first billion-dollar franchise in women's sports history. This success on and off the court has earned them a wave of new supporters, as star Gabby Williams noted after the sweep.[S1][S2]
