28
Feb
Team Profile
Golden State Valkyries WNBA Profile: Five things you need to know
Two Australians will play for the Golden State Valkyries in their first WNBA season in 2025
- Bay Area returns to women's basketball after 15-year absence
- Innovative ownership group with deep basketball roots
- Chase Center becomes home to both NBA and WNBA excellence
The Golden State Valkyries represent the WNBA's exciting expansion into the basketball-rich San Francisco Bay Area.
Location: San Francisco, California
Home Arena: Chase Center
Year Founded: 2025
Championships: 0
Major Rivals: Los Angeles Sparks, Las Vegas Aces, Seattle Storm
Team Philosophy
The Golden State Valkyries enter the WNBA with a clear vision: to build a championship-calibre organisation that honours the rich basketball tradition of the Bay Area. Named after the powerful female figures of Norse mythology who chose warriors worthy of entering Valhalla, the Valkyries aim to embody strength, excellence, and fearlessness on the court.
The franchise's leadership, including Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, have established a foundation focused on long-term success rather than quick fixes. This approach mirrors the patient, methodical building process that transformed the Warriors into an NBA dynasty.
With team president Jess Smith bringing experience from her successful tenure with Angel City FC of the NWSL, the Valkyries are positioning themselves as an organisation that values innovation both on and off the court.
Playing Style
While the Valkyries have yet to play their first WNBA game, early indications from general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and head coach Natalie Nakase suggest the team will embrace a modern, up-tempo style of play emphasising three-point shooting, ball movement, and defensive versatility.
This approach aligns with the Warriors' revolutionary "Strength in Numbers" philosophy that changed basketball at the highest level. Fans can expect a team that prioritises spacing, skill, and basketball IQ over traditional positional constraints.
The Valkyries will likely seek players who can operate in multiple roles, shoot from distance, and defend across multiple positions – creating a flexible, dynamic team capable of adapting to different matchups.
Club Culture
The Valkyries are establishing a club culture built on inclusivity, innovation, and community connection. By basing their headquarters in Oakland while playing games in San Francisco, the organisation demonstrates its commitment to embracing the entire Bay Area.
The remarkable early success in season ticket deposits – over 6,000 secured before playing a single game – reflects the region's enthusiasm for women's basketball and the team's effective community outreach efforts.
Drawing from Joe Lacob's previous experience with the San Jose Lasers of the American Basketball League, the Valkyries are creating an environment where players, coaches, and staff can thrive both personally and professionally.
Legacy & Impact
As an expansion franchise, the Valkyries are at the beginning of writing their history. However, they enter the league during a time of unprecedented growth and popularity for women's basketball, positioning them to potentially become one of the most valuable and influential franchises in women's sports.
The $50 million expansion fee paid over ten years represents a significant investment in the future of women's basketball and signals confidence in the WNBA's continued growth.
Key Figures
The Valkyries' formation has been guided by several key figures who will shape the franchise's early identity:
- Joe Lacob and Peter Guber: The Warriors ownership group that has revolutionised NBA operations brings their expertise and resources to women's basketball.
- Jess Smith: The team president brings valuable experience from her success with Angel City FC, one of the most innovative franchises in women's sports.
- Ohemaa Nyanin: The general manager faces the challenge of building a competitive roster through the expansion draft and making strategic selections in the 2025 WNBA draft.
- Natalie Nakase: The head coach brings extensive basketball knowledge and the opportunity to establish a distinctive playing style and team culture from day one.
Five Fast Facts
- The Golden State Valkyries are the WNBA's first expansion team since the Atlanta Dream joined in 2008.
- Team owner Joe Lacob previously owned the San Jose Lasers in the American Basketball League before the WNBA era.
- The Valkyries received over 2,000 season ticket deposits within hours of the franchise announcement.
- The team's logo incorporates the Bay Bridge, symbolising the connection between San Francisco and Oakland.
- The 13 lines from the sword in the logo represent the Valkyries as the 13th team in the WNBA.
Club Timeline
September 26, 2023: The Athletic reports Warriors owners finalising agreement for WNBA expansion team
October 5, 2023: WNBA officially announces San Francisco expansion team to begin play in 2025
January 30, 2024: Jess Smith hired as team president
April 16, 2024: Franchise surpasses 6,000 season ticket deposits
May 7, 2024: Ohemaa Nyanin announced as general manager
May 14, 2024: Team name and logo revealed as Golden State Valkyries
December 2024: Valkyries participate in WNBA expansion draft
Today
The Golden State Valkyries enter their inaugural season with a blend of excitement and expectation. As the WNBA's first expansion team in 17 years, they arrive during a period of unprecedented growth for women's basketball. The timing couldn't be better – coming off record-breaking viewership numbers for the 2024 WNBA season and the continued explosion of interest in women's college basketball.
The front office has spent months building through the expansion draft and preparing for their first regular WNBA draft. Under Ohemaa Nyanin's leadership, the team has focused on acquiring versatile players who can grow together while remaining competitive from day one. Head coach Natalie Nakase brings a modern basketball philosophy that emphasises skill development, positional versatility, and analytical approaches to the game.
The Valkyries face the unique challenge of establishing their identity in a market already dominated by the Warriors' NBA success. However, early ticket sales and corporate partnerships suggest the Bay Area has embraced this new chapter in professional basketball. The Chase Center provides a world-class venue, while the team's Oakland headquarters maintains connections to the East Bay's rich basketball tradition.
As the 2025 season approaches, the Valkyries represent more than just a new team – they symbolise the WNBA's continued growth and the increasing investment in women's professional sports. With strong ownership, experienced management, and passionate fan support already in place, the foundation has been laid for what could become one of the league's model franchises for decades to come.
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