Ownership’s vision extends far beyond wins and losses. From the moment the Chase Center lights glowed violet and black, whispers rippled through every corner of the Bay Area: Who is orchestrating this audacious WNBA expansion? Who dares to invest tens of millions in a brand-new franchise, banking on sweat, skill, and the promise of history in the making?
As the confetti settled on opening night—and the Valkyries fell 84–67 to the Spark during their season opener match on May 16—the question hung in the air like a challenge: Who are the guardians of this daring venture, and what legacy do they intend to forge?
MORE: Golden State Valkyries 2025 WNBA Schedule: List of All Games, Key Matchups and More
The Power Players Behind the Golden State Valkyries’ Rise
Women’s professional basketball in the Bay Area was once a distant dream. The Sacramento Monarchs (1997–2009) left a void that never fully closed—until now.
The Golden State Valkyries aren’t the brainchild of some shadowy investors. They are the brainchild of NBA royalty. When the WNBA awarded its first new franchise to the Bay Area, it did so knowing it was placing a historic wager.
That wager? Two of the most influential sports and entertainment moguls in the country: Joe Lacob and Peter Guber.
In late 2023, the WNBA officially awarded its first expansion franchise since 2008 to Lacob and Guber’s ownership group, marking a historic moment for the sport in Northern California. An expansion fee of $50 million, payable over a decade, secured the Valkyries’ place in league lore and underscored the growing financial muscle behind women’s basketball.
Lacob—renowned for his audacious 2010 promise to deliver a Warriors title within five years, a vow he kept in 2015—joined forces with Guber, the Oscar-nominated producer whose credits range from Rain Man to co-ownership stakes in the Dodgers and L.A. FC.
Lacob and Guber officially steered their winning formula into the women’s game when they finalized their WNBA expansion bid in late 2023. This was followed by the announcement of the official team name, jersey, and logo in mid-2024.
The Art of Expansion is a journey — dynamic, ever-changing, and bold.
Introducing the Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural season jersey — a design rooted in Bay Area pride and Valkyries strength, symbolizing the fluidity, motion, and unity that shaped us.
We’re looking forward to… pic.twitter.com/1zhliDi6P3
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) December 5, 2024
Golden State Valkyries’ Franchise Valuation
In an era of surging investments in women’s sports, the Valkyries’ $50 million entry fee provides just the opening line of a much bigger story.
According to Sportico’s June 2024 valuations, the average WNBA franchise sits at $96 million, with the Las Vegas Aces leading the pack at $140 million.
With surge pricing on tickets, a passionate 18,064-strong home opener crowd, and sponsorships from CarMax, United Airlines, Rakuten, and Kaiser Permanente already in place, the Valkyries are poised to cement a commitment to cultural impact as much as championships.
Furthermore, jersey partnerships with Kaiser Permanente, JPMorgan Chase as the team’s first founding partners, and a burgeoning season-ticket waitlist, projections suggest the Valkyries could double—or even triple—their initial valuation within five years.
Serving iconic looks since day 1.
Introducing our partnership with @Rakuten, our official shopping rewards partner and newest founding partner of the Golden State Valkyries.
Together, we’re creating a platform where players can express their individual style and strength — on… pic.twitter.com/Gqnw12eUEP
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) May 7, 2025
Valkyries 2025 WNBA Campaign
After a 16-year drought, the Valkyries’ arrival rekindled a region long hungry for elite women’s hoops. The 2025 slate has already proven that the Valkyries belong under the brightest lights.
Under head coach Natalie Nakase—the WNBA’s first Asian American head coach—the team opened with a tightly contested loss to Los Angeles (84–67) before storming back to claim back-to-back wins over Washington (76–74) and Los Angeles Sparks (82–73).
Road-tested, battle-won.
GSV got it done on the first roadtrip of the year 🗣️✨🪽 pic.twitter.com/OGjDxba0DY
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) May 24, 2025
Their 2–1 record, good for fourth place in the Western Conference early on, belies their status as an expansion outfit and speaks to the cohesive leadership of both veteran signees and international draftees. They are set to face off against the New York Liberty on May 27 and 29, respectively, at the Barclays Center.
Joe Lacob’s 2010 guarantee of a Warriors title within five years became Bay Area legend. Now, with the Valkyries, he has pledged another championship promise within the next half-decade.
With a rising roster including Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton, shrewd front-office hires—like GM Ohemaa Nyanin, architect of recent Liberty title runs—the Valkyries aren’t content just to compete; they’re here to conquer.
As the WNBA’s 13th franchise writes its early chapters, one thing is clear: The Golden State Valkyries are more than a franchise—they’re a movement, powered by owners who bet big and believe fiercely in the unstoppable rise of women’s basketball.
