Golden State Valkyries revealed as new WNBA team
Golden State Valkyries join the WNBA
Today the WNBA Bay Area expansion team announced its official name and logo: The Golden State Valkyries. The announcement of the team name and brand identity came with an invitation for fans to "join the ascent" and proudly wear Valkyrie Violet. KTVU's Alex Savidge and Heather Holmes discuss the team's brand identity and what it signifies with Charmin Smith, head coach of the Cal Bears Women's Basketball Team and former WNBA Coach and Player.
SAN FRANCISCO - The Golden State's new WNBA team has a new name.
The team on Tuesday announced the professional women's basketball team will be called the Valkyries.
The name draws from Norse mythology.
The Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.
"The story of the Golden State Valkyries begins now," Valkyries President Jess Smith said in a statement. "And what better way than to be surrounded and supported by Bay Area legends as we take our rightful place in the WNBA and beyond. This is the Bay's time to show what's possible with the best fans in the world."
There are no players yet on the nascent team.
The Valkyries will be the 13th team in the WNBA when they join the league in 2025.
Last week, Warriors chairman Joe Lacob named Ohemaa Nyanin as the team's first general manager.
The team also unveiled the new logo and described its symbolism, which gives a nod to the Golden State Warriors, their male counterparts. Both teams' logos use the eastern span of the Bay Bridge in their design.
The team said the Bay Bridge reinforces the team’s presence across the Bay, but specifically the tie between the team’s homes in both Oakland, where the team’s practice facility and front office is located, and in San Francisco’s Chase Center, where the team will play all home games.
Merchandise for the newest WNBA team is already on sale at the team store. Fans wasted no time on Tuesday, purchasing Valkyries gear to show their loyalty.
Fan Lianna Louie said young women can now increasingly see a place for themselves at the highest levels of sport.
"I'm a former Division 1 college athlete and our careers just stopped when we graduated from college and I love to see the avenue that Cameron Brink and Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark get to go on," said Louie.
Nan Luma also purchased some paraphernalia for herself and her 2-year-old daughter.
"She knows the word basketball, we have it on TV, the NBA games, the WNBA games. So, she knows basketball," said Luma.
Luma said she is happy that her daughter will grow up in a world where women athletes and teams will be recognized as the powerhouses they are.
"Yes, we are dunking in the WNBA. We are doing all kinds of tricks. We are skilled," said Luma.
The team said 7,500 fans have already put down deposits to be season ticket holders for the inaugural season.
On Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thrive City will host a Valkyries Block Party featuring E-40, Goapele, Kehlani, Khyenci, Mayzin and P-Lo.
For more information on the Valkyries, click here.