How Valkyries swung big on and off the court, leading to improbable WNBA title
Golden State Valkyries owner Joe Lacob hoists the WNBA championship trophy after the team’s victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Saturday.
TL;DR
- The Golden State Valkyries won the WNBA championship in their second season, less than 37 months after the franchise was announced.
- The team achieved significant financial success, becoming the first women's sports franchise valued at $1 billion and leading the WNBA in attendance and revenue.
- Key to their success were strategic hires like team president Jess Smith and GM Ohemaa Nyanin, and head coach Natalie Nakase, alongside a distinct brand identity featuring the color violet.
- The Valkyries sold out all regular-season games and played to capacity crowds in playoff games, indicating strong fan engagement.
- The franchise's success is linked to a pent-up demand for women's sports in the region, the growth of women's basketball nationally, and local basketball heritage.