In July of 2025, the newly added WNBA team, the Golden State Valkyries, set a record of 19 games won in an inaugural season, breaking the record that had been held by the Detroit Shocks since 1998.
During the team’s opening season, they have accomplished many monumental achievements for an up-and-coming sports team but what makes them special is the obstacles and challenges they have faced along the path to said glory.
Back in 2023, the Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob was in the process of creating an expansion team to embody the spirit and pride of ‘The Bay.’ Born from this idea, the Golden State Valkyries were officially announced in May of 2024. Players like Kate Martin, Kayla Thornton, and Veronica Burton were just a few of the top picks when it came to forming a WNBA powerhouse. Martin is easily a fan favorite, being the 18th overall 2024 Draft pick, originating from the University of Iowa. In college, she helped her team win two back-to-back championships and continues that momentum into her work with the Valkyries.
On the team itself, the Valkyries have seven players who hold top 20 spots from previous years’ drafts, contributing to their success. With this success comes the record for most home game attendance, with all 17 games at the Chase Center being sold out. On average, they average about 18,064 fans per game, as well as most tickets sold, with over 20,000 tickets sold and counting.
Despite their triumphs, the team has recently faced hate from negative fans wishing for attention. In July of 2025, at the Atlanta Dream and Valkyries game, fans threw inappropriate, sexual items onto the court as a joke. Officials and players alike reacted with disgust and outrage against the act. The same incident happened weeks later at another Valkyries game with the same acts taking place. During August, objects were thrown onto the court at an Indiana Fever and Los Angeles Sparks game. Players like Elizabeth Williams of the Chicago Sky expressed their frustration, calling the behavior “super disrespectful,” “immature,” and dangerous. Players in the WNBA and fans of the sport find it disrespectful to the work these women put in day in and day out, as well as the hate put on the sport.
Women in any sport face constant hate for their craft, whether that be because they’re “too masculine,” or “too rough,” or “not lady-like.” Regardless, these women push through the hostility and continue to come out on top time and time again. Currently, the Valkyries are on track to become the most profitable franchise in the WNBA, with many more accomplishments soon to come. Fans continue to support this groundbreaking team, bringing new and old fans together to support not just the Valkyries, but the love of basketball.
Valkyries’ Inagural Season – History In The Making
