• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Warriors, Valkyries Coexist Without Arena Conflict—for Now

The Golden State Valkyries are the WNBA’s 13th team and the league’s first expansion franchise since 2008.

Oct 5, 2023; San Francisco, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors co-executive director & chief executive officer Joe Lacob, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Warriors co-executive director Peter Guber pose for a group photo during a press conference to announce an expansion WNBA franchise in the San Francisco Bay Area at Chase Center.
D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

It took nearly two decades, but the WNBA will welcome another expansion team.

The Golden State Valkyries will make their preseason debut Tuesday at the Chase Center in San Francisco against the Los Angeles Sparks. The Valkyries are the league’s 13th team and the first WNBA expansion franchise since the Atlanta Dream joined in 2008.

The WNBA will add two more expansion franchises next year—the Toronto Tempo and a still unnamed team in Portland—and is expecting a 16th team by 2028.

The Valkyries are owned by the Golden State group, which announced a rebrand from GSW Sports on Monday, led by Joe Lacob. The group, which also owns the Chase Center, agreed to pay a $50 million expansion fee for the WNBA franchise in 2023.

Leading up to Tuesday’s preseason opener, the Valkyries have already hit several milestones, including becoming the first WNBA team on record to pass 10,000 season tickets. The team also has a 31,800-square-foot practice facility in Oakland. (State-of-the-art facilities have become one of the key factors in the WNBA’s criteria for selecting expansion markets.)

Golden State and the Chase Center also unveiled a look at the Valkyries’ new court Monday.

Sharing Is Caring

While the Valkyries’ season is set to begin, the Warriors’ season will continue after advancing to the second round of the NBA playoffs following a win over the Rockets on Sunday. This means the Warriors, who share the Chase Center with the Valkyries, will play at least two more games in their home arena.

Based on the Warriors’ second-round schedule, there will not be any conflict with the Valkyries’ regular-season home games, even if the Warriors play a maximum of three home games in their series against the Timberwolves. Minnesota and Golden State have a rare four-day break between Game 5 on May 14 and Game 6 on May 18—and the Valkyries’ regular-season opener falls on May 16.

There is a chance of schedule conflicts if the Warriors advance to the conference finals, though the Valkyries go on an extended road trip after hosting the Mystics on May 21, which leaves the Chase Center free for the Warriors for the rest of the month.

The Valkyries did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tempering Expectations

Expansion franchises tend to struggle out of the gate, but head coach Natalie Nakase told FOS in October that she and Lacob have a goal of winning a title in the team’s first five years.

Despite their short-term aspirations, the team, on paper, looks like it will be near the bottom of the standings this year. The Valkyries have just one former All-Star on their roster: Tiffany Hayes, whose lone All-Star appearance came in 2017. 

But Nakase, who was an assistant with the Las Vegas Aces under Becky Hammon, isn’t fazed. “I don’t think you should ever make assumptions in sports,” Nakase told the San Francisco Chronicle. “Go ahead and doubt us.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

RAJ Sports Withdraws Lawsuit Over Trail Blazers Stake

RAJ Sports had sued the Cherng family, owners of Panda Express.
Mar 5, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and NBA app logo and basketballs in front of the base during warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Suns at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Will Take Over League Pass After WBD Divorce

The league now has full operational control of those media assets.
Feb 4, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Toronto Raptors forward Jonathon Mogbo (2) chase after a loose ball during the second half at Scotiabank Arena.

Knicks, Raptors Agree to Drop Suit Over ‘Mole’ Accused of Stealing

The Knicks had sought more than $10 million in damages.
Dec 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and Portland Trail Blazers logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Reopens Doors in China—and Eyes the WNBA Next

The Mavericks and Rockets are set to play games in Macao next year.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Sep 29, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) poses during media day at Intuit Dome
opinion

Clippers’ Aspiration Fiasco Recalls Another Doomed NBA Sponsorship

The Kawhi controversy has shades of the still-recent FTX scandal.
Athlos
October 10, 2025

Track Start-Up Athlos Makes ‘Millions’ but No Profit Yet

Alexis Ohanian called being profitable by the 2028 Olympics a “great goal.”
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates a made shot as Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) looks on during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.
October 10, 2025

Aces Win WNBA Title, Starting Offseason of Uncertainty

The Aces won their third trophy in four years.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Cheryl Reeve
October 10, 2025

WNBA Officiating Task Force Still Taking Shape After Outcry

How refs are trained and instructed was a major issue this year.
Aug 3, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; NBA commissioner Adam Silver talks to International Basketball Federation board member Mark Tatum in the fourth quarter between the United States and Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
October 9, 2025

NBA Aims for Drama-Free Return to China After 6-Year Hiatus

The league looks to rebuild its presence in the populous country.
Bad Bunny performs on stage for his “Most Wanted Tour” at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, May 11, 2024.
October 9, 2025

Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA to Run Alternate Super Bowl Halftime Show

Group announces “The All-American Halftime Show” on Feb. 8.
Mar 15, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.
October 8, 2025

How Connor McDavid’s Extension Set Off a Wave of Big-Money Deals

Several notable contracts are completed in the wake of the superstar’s deal.