May 19th 2024.
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon outside Chase Center in San Francisco. Thrive City was buzzing with excitement as fans of all ages gathered to celebrate the Golden State Valkyries' weekend block party. The team had recently revealed its name and logo, and this was the first chance for fans to show their support in person. Despite the short notice, over three thousand people showed up and made their enthusiasm known.
Jess Smith, the Valkyries' president, couldn't help but be moved by the overwhelming support from the Bay Area community. "The Bay shows up in powerful ways," she remarked with a smile. The region had long been clamoring for a WNBA team, and the arrival of the Valkyries was a dream come true for many. As the franchise prepares for its inaugural season next year, the block party gave a glimpse of the team's budding fanbase.
R&B artist Kehlani, who hails from Oakland, expressed her excitement for the expansion of women's sports. "It shows that support for expansion is possible, and that deserving cities can finally have a leading women's sports team," she said. "We rallied hard for this, and our efforts paid off. The combination of the Warriors' success and the growing popularity of women's basketball made this possible."
Michelle Corpuz, a 37-year-old from Pleasant Hill, was moved to tears by the news of the Valkyries' arrival. "I'm so happy that we finally have a WNBA team in the Bay," she said. "It's been a long time coming. We should have been the first ones to have a team, but better late than never. This calls for a celebration!"
The excitement for the Valkyries was evident in the increasing number of season ticket deposits. When Ohemaa Nyanin was announced as the team's first general manager, there were around 7,000 deposits. But at the block party, Warriors president Brandon Schneider proudly announced that the number had reached 10,500. Among those hoping to secure season tickets was Berge Thomasian, a 67-year-old who had flown to Las Vegas last year to watch the Aces play. "I knew this day would come," he said with a grin. "The women in the WNBA deliver exciting games, and I can't wait to support our own team right here in the Bay."
Kimberly Veale, the Valkyries' SVP of marketing and communications, was thrilled to see the community's response. "We knew that there was a demand for the WNBA in the Bay Area," she said. "This is incredibly rewarding and sets the tone for what's to come for the team. The Bay Area is known for its passionate and loyal fan bases, and this community is showing us that they will rally behind the Valkyries."
The arrival of the Valkyries comes at a time when women's sports, and the WNBA in particular, are gaining popularity. Michelle Corpuz shared how she is excited for her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter to grow up with WNBA teams. "We want her to see that women can play sports too, and this is the perfect opportunity for our family," she said. "We can't wait for her to experience this from her own perspective."
Clarence McGee, a 33-year-old from North Oakland, was also looking forward to the impact the Valkyries will have on the community. "This is not just about sports, but also about opening doors for women in various positions," he said, holding his five-year-old daughter, Aihia. "This will inspire kids to dream big and know that there is a future for them in sports, or any career they choose."
Even though the Valkyries have yet to hire a head coach or add players to their roster, the anticipation for the upcoming season is already building. The WNBA will hold an expansion draft later this year, and the 2025 WNBA Draft before the Valkyries' first season. Paige Bueckers, a standout player from the University of Connecticut, is expected to be at the top of many mock drafts. Kehlani, who has been vocal about her support for the Valkyries, hopes that Bueckers will join the team. "I'm going to keep saying it: Paige Bueckers," she said with a laugh. "She knows what's good, and I hope she chooses to come to the Bay."
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