A New Chapter for the Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries entered their inaugural WNBA season with a clear ambition: to exceed the modest expectations set for an expansion team and to lay the groundwork for sustained competitiveness.
Their opening night in Seattle ended in a decisive 95‑79 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, a performance that instantly signaled that the team would not be a mere novelty.
Nine of the fourteen players who lined up on that opening day had already been part of the roster a year earlier, providing the club with continuity that many new franchises lack.
A fresh collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and its players now guarantees seven‑figure contracts, a financial milestone that has already been realized by stars such as Gabby Williams, who will earn more than $3.7 million over the next three years, and Veronica Burton, slated to receive over $2.9 million.
The financial upside of these deals is reflected in the franchise’s valuation, which has surged from roughly $50 million when Joe Lacob acquired the team to a staggering $1 billion, underscoring the market’s confidence in women’s professional basketball.
The WNBA’s 30th season celebration added a historic layer to the Valkyries’ story, with legend Ann Meyers Drisdale in attendance, acknowledging the team’s role in the league’s evolution.
Beyond the numbers, the Valkyries’ rise illustrates a broader shift: increased investment, greater media exposure, and a growing fan base that together suggest a durable future for the sport.