Written By Mauricio Segura // Photo: Golden Bay Times Graphics Dept.
SEP 18, 2025
Critics, fans, and the women's basketball world expected small beginnings when the Golden State Valkyries stepped into the WNBA for the 2025 season. What we got was nothing short of historic. The expansion team, based in the Bay Area, didn’t just show up. They made waves, set records, inspired fans, and nearly stunned the top seed in their own playoff debut. It has been one hell of a first year.
The Valkyries were officially established ahead of the 2025 season, giving the league its first expansion team since 2008. Ownership came with familiar names to Bay Area sports fans, Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, who already had championship credibility with the Golden State Warriors. From the early days, the front office, led by General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin, stressed that competitiveness and authenticity would be the cornerstones of this franchise. Building a roster from scratch meant relying heavily on the expansion draft, free agency, and international scouting. Golden State selected players like Kate Martin, Temi Fágbénlé, Kayla Thornton, Cecilia Zandalasini, Monique Billings, Veronica Burton, Janelle Salaün, Iliana Rupert, and Maria Conde. The regular draft saw them take Justė Jocytė with the fifth overall pick, though her rights were retained rather than having her join immediately. Other draft choices, including Shyanne Sellers and Kaitlyn Chen, were briefly on the roster before being waived. Guiding it all was Natalie Nakase, hired in October 2024, who became the architect of the team’s culture and ultimately earned Coach of the Year honors in her very first season.
The team’s foundation wasn’t built around a superstar but rather around belief and unity. Veronica Burton became the breakout story of the year, evolving from a fringe guard into the team’s heartbeat with her playmaking and defensive presence. Cecilia Zandalasini provided sharp outside shooting and a calming presence in high-pressure moments, nearly delivering in the playoffs with a last-second attempt that just rimmed out. Monique Billings added toughness, rebounding, and defense that steadied the team through rough patches. Veterans such as Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin, and Iliana Rupert chipped in leadership and balance, giving the young franchise a sense of stability that few expected in year one.
The results spoke for themselves. The Valkyries finished the regular season 23-21, the best win-total ever for a WNBA expansion team. Along the way, they delivered highlight moments, like a 99-62 blowout over the Chicago Sky in mid-August that broke the record for expansion wins. There were losing streaks and nights when their lack of depth showed, but the highs outweighed the lows. In the playoffs, they had the Minnesota Lynx on the ropes in Game 2, holding a double-digit lead going into the fourth quarter. Yet the lead slipped away, and the Valkyries saw their inaugural season end in heartbreaking fashion, 75-74. It was a cruel finish but also the perfect metaphor for a team that dared to believe and nearly rewrote history in the process.
If the results were eye-opening, the response from the Bay Area was just as historic. Before the team had played a single game, season ticket deposits topped 15,000. Chase Center sold out night after night. The Valkyries didn’t just attract curious fans; they built a devoted following that brought energy, chants, and color into the arena from the opening tip. Merchandise flew off shelves, the team leaned heavily into community partnerships, and the connection between franchise and fan base was immediate and authentic. In a region that prides itself on progressive values and sporting excellence, the Valkyries quickly became more than just another Bay Area team. They became a cultural statement.
Now comes the hard part: sustaining and improving. Only two players, Carla Leite and Kate Martin, are definitively under contract for 2026, which means roster turnover is inevitable. Burton is a priority to keep, but other veterans, like Tiffany Hayes, face uncertain futures with retirement rumors circling. The team is expected to pursue more offensive firepower in free agency, seeking a scorer who can take pressure off their current rotation. Draft strategy will be pivotal, as the Valkyries must decide whether to invest in long-term development or chase immediate help to keep the momentum alive. Managing overseas contracts and commitments, which complicated player availability during 2025, will also be crucial to maintaining consistency.
What the Valkyries accomplished in 2025 goes beyond wins and losses. In one season, they raised the standard for what an expansion team can be. Making the playoffs in year one, setting attendance and win records, and generating league-wide buzz showed that growth in women’s basketball is not just possible but inevitable when given the right platform. Their success has ripple effects for the WNBA, putting pressure on sponsors, media, and league leadership to continue investing in expansion and visibility. For young girls in the Bay Area, the Valkyries provide a tangible, local dream, a team they can call their own and players whose names they can wear proudly.
The inaugural season ended with heartbreak, but it also ended with possibility. The Valkyries are no longer a novelty; they are a force. The WNBA has been changed by their arrival, and women’s sports as a whole are stronger for it. What 2026 holds remains to be seen, but with a passionate fan base, a savvy front office, and a group of players who already proved doubters wrong, the Golden State Valkyries are positioned not just to compete but to contend. Their first chapter was defined by resilience and identity. The next may well be about championships.
