On a warm September night in San José, the Golden State Valkyries closed out their inaugural WNBA season with a performance that, despite the heartbreak of a single-point playoff loss, left fans and the wider Bay Area beaming with pride. As the final buzzer sounded at SAP Center on September 17, 2025, the scoreboard read 75–74 in favor of the Minnesota Lynx, ending the Valkyries’ first-ever postseason run. Yet, the mood inside and outside the arena was anything but somber. Instead, it was a celebration—of resilience, community, and a season that exceeded even the boldest expectations.
“They were graceful. They fought like the valiant warriors that they are. Everyone can’t win, right? But for a first-time team, they did tremendously well and we’re very proud of them,” said Gerri Bordash, a Valkyries fan, as she stepped into the night air, tears in her eyes. Her words echoed the sentiment of thousands who had just witnessed history—a new WNBA franchise not only making the playoffs in its debut season but doing so with a style and spirit that captured the imagination of a city and beyond.
The Valkyries’ journey began with the christening of San Francisco’s Chase Center as “Ballhalla,” a raucous, sold-out fortress where fans in lavender-sequin jackets and Valkyries-themed helmets cheered their team to victory after victory. Every one of the 22 home games was a sell-out, and the team shattered multiple league attendance records. When a scheduling conflict forced the playoff game to SAP Center in San José, the Valkyries faithful didn’t miss a beat, packing the arena with a roaring crowd of 18,543. “This is what it’s supposed to be like to love sports,” said Carissa Perkins of Oakland, a WNBA fan for six years. “I’ve been waiting years for this and it’s been better than I ever dreamed it would be.”
For many, the Valkyries’ arrival was about more than basketball. It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to welcome a WNBA team to the Bay Area—a region known for its innovation and inclusivity, now rallying around a women’s sports franchise with unprecedented enthusiasm. The sense of belonging was palpable among fans like Rita Garcia, who, clad in a Valkyries letterman jacket, reflected on the emotional rollercoaster of the season. “One basket. We could have won by just one basket,” Garcia said, her voice faltering. “Those last couple of minutes were so heartbreaking.” Yet, she added, “I just feel a deep connection with the team, with the essence of Ballhalla, the other fans, the community. The community is really welcoming to everyone.”
The Valkyries’ impact stretched far beyond the court. Eleven-year-old Eloise Annerau, shooting hoops outside the arena before the playoff game, shared how the team’s success inspired her: “It’s gotten me more into basketball. I started last year and I’ve gotten so much better. They’re really inspiring to me.” Her mother, Kristen Hutchins, observed the transformation with pride: “Since she started coming to Valkyries games, I’ve seen her play with more confidence and have more confidence in school and with friends. So sports is doing everything that I wanted it to do for her, which is to give her self-confidence and learn to be a leader.”
The celebration wasn’t limited to the arena. Ahead of Game 2, Caltrain rolled out a Valkyries-themed train, festooned with purple tassels and filled with staff distributing rally towels and hosting trivia contests. “Valkyries games have every kind of person, families, food and music,” said Jason Schafer, who rode the train with his 8-year-old son. “It’s just the most Bay Area thing ever.”
But as the team’s popularity soared, so did discussions about the future of women’s basketball. Some fans arrived in shirts emblazoned with “Pay them what you owe them,” a rallying cry for players seeking a larger share of league revenue as the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement approaches expiration on October 31. E Gilliam, holding a “Pay the players” sign, captured the moment: “There’s been a surge in viewership. There’s been a massive surge in attendance, and the players are not seeing a bump in wages.”
The contrast between the Valkyries’ meteoric rise and player compensation is striking. In their first year, the team became the first women’s sports franchise to be valued at $500 million, according to Sportico. Yet, most Valkyries players, like many across the league, earn less than $80,000 a year on average. The highest-paid Valkyrie is 13-year veteran Tiffany Hayes, who signed a one-year, $200,000 contract in February. These numbers, juxtaposed with the team’s record-breaking attendance and passionate fan base, have fueled calls for a new era of equity in women’s sports.
On the court, the Valkyries proved themselves worthy of the spotlight. Their playoff debut against the top-seeded Lynx was a nail-biter, decided by a single point. Cecilia Zandalasini’s layup in Game 2 was one of many moments that electrified fans, and even in defeat, the crowd’s cheers drowned out any disappointment. As Monique Billings looked out into the sea of faces after the final buzzer, it was clear that this was a team—and a community—on the rise.
Recognition for the Valkyries’ remarkable season came swiftly. On September 18, 2025, head coach Natalie Nakase was named 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year at SAP Center, a fitting tribute to the leadership that guided the expansion team to the playoffs. The award ceremony, met with thunderous applause, was a testament to Nakase’s ability to forge a winning culture from day one.
The Valkyries’ influence extended into the fabric of Bay Area life. Chinaka Hodge, a member of the team’s “founding guard” of season ticket holders, summed up the significance: “I remember when the WNBA came out and people said, ‘No one will ever come see women’s basketball.’ To see young boys cheering for these young women—to see people of all different sexual orientations, creeds, nationalities, races cheering for these women—was a dream of mine.”
As fans packed the late-night trains back to San Francisco, the talk was not of disappointment, but of what comes next. “Next year, we’re planning on investing in a good pair of earmuffs so we can bring our newborn,” joked Lily Brown, who attended the game with her seven-months-pregnant wife. The future, it seems, is bright for the Valkyries and their ever-growing legion of supporters.
In just one season, the Golden State Valkyries have rewritten the playbook for what an expansion team can achieve. From record crowds to a playoff run, from inspiring the next generation to sparking vital conversations about equity, the Valkyries have established themselves as a force in the WNBA and a beacon for women’s sports. As the Bay Area looks ahead to next season, one thing is certain: the Valkyries have arrived, and they’re here to stay.
