Golden State Valkyries

What Golden State Valkyries does

The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA expansion franchise headquartered at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber (the same ownership group as the NBA's Golden State Warriors). The franchise was awarded in October 2023 for a $50 million expansion fee, began play in the 2025 WNBA season, and serves Bay Area sports fans, LGBTQ+ communities, and corporate partners seeking women's professional basketball entertainment. Core products include season tickets, single-game tickets, mini-plans, group tickets, premium suites at the 18,000-seat Chase Center, official merchandise through the Valkyries Shop (online and at-arena), a mobile application, and community engagement programs including Pride Night and Juneteenth celebrations.

Revenue mechanics span four primary streams: season ticket subscriptions (12,000+ holders generating $78M in inaugural season ticket revenue), corporate sponsorships (JPMorganChase, Sephora, United Airlines, Kaiser Permanente, Rakuten, CarMax, Fanatics, Chase), merchandise sales, and league-level media rights ($3.1 billion/10-year WNBA deal with Disney, NBC, Amazon). The franchise operates a regional Bar Network of 16 partner venues and a grassroots LGBTQ+ fan group (ValQueeries) as community-building channels. Fan data analytics reveal only 7% crossover with the Warriors fanbase, informing differentiated marketing strategies under the "Ballhalla" brand identity.

The franchise achieved a WNBA-record $78 million in inaugural 2025 season revenue, 23 wins (most ever by an expansion team), and the first playoff berth by a WNBA expansion team. By May 2026, CNBC valued the franchise at $1 billion, making it the first women's sports team to reach that threshold. The organization employs a roster of 12-15 players plus coaching and administrative staff under Head Coach Natalie Nakase (2025 Coach of the Year) and GM Ohemaa Nyanin, with stated five-year championship ambitions under ownership.

Name

Golden State Valkyries

Legal name

Golden State Valkyries

Website

https://valkyries.wnba.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA expansion franchise owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, playing at Chase Center in San Francisco. The team sells tickets, merchandise, and sponsorships to Bay Area fans, achieving $78M revenue and $1B valuation in its inaugural 2025 season.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Sports Team

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Franchise Ownership Groups & Multi-Club Organizations (Multi-team owners, holding companies) (MPAKABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Event Promotion & Tournament Operations (MPAKAKAC), Athlete & Team Sponsorship Deals (Official Partners, Jersey/Kit Sponsors) (MPAKALAA), Arenas & Indoor Sports Centers (MPAKAEAB)

Keywords

• Professional basketball team
• Womens professional sports
• Sports entertainment services
• Live event ticketing
• Team merchandise retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Season Ticket Sales: Season ticket sales represent a major revenue stream with the team selling over 12,000 season tickets at $78 million in revenue during inaugural season.
2. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships from major brands including JPMorganChase, Sephora, United Airlines, Kaiser Permanente, Rakuten, and others generate significant sponsorship revenue.
3. Merchandise: Merchandise sales through Valkyries Shop (online) and Golden State Team Shop (physical) including jerseys, apparel, and collectibles.
4. Media Rights: Revenue from media rights deals including $3.1 billion over 10 years with Disney, NBC, Amazon, and other partners, covering 245 nationally broadcast games.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Golden State Valkyries operate a professional WNBA basketball franchise based at Chase Center in San Francisco, offering live women's basketball games, season and single-game ticket packages, premium suites, official team merchandise, and corporate sponsorship opportunities. The franchise generates revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorships, and broadcast media rights while building community engagement through themed events and inclusive fan culture.

Product overview

The Golden State Valkyries are a professional WNBA basketball franchise based in San Francisco, California. As an expansion team, they offer a portfolio of fan-focused products and services centered around live game experiences at Chase Center. The core offerings include game tickets (individual, season, mini-plans, and group options), premium suite rentals, and official merchandise through the Valkyries Shop. The team enhances the fan experience through a mobile app, a regional bar network for game viewing, and community engagement programs including Pride celebrations and youth initiatives. The product portfolio is designed to support the team's identity as 'Ballhalla' and foster community connection to women's basketball in the Bay Area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Valkyries Game Tickets Individual game tickets for WNBA regular season games, playoff games, and special events at Chase Center in San Francisco. Sold to individual fans and general consumers through Ticketmaster and the Chase Center box office.
• Season Tickets Full-season ticket packages granting access to all Valkyries regular season home games at Chase Center. Sold as annual subscriptions with seat selection and member benefits. Generated $78 million in inaugural-season revenue.
• Mini-Plans Flexible partial-season ticket packages offering a subset of home games with reserved seating options and same-seat benefits. Targeted at fans seeking mid-level commitment.
• Group Tickets Discounted ticket packages for groups of 10 or more fans attending games together at Chase Center.
• Premium Suites Luxury suite rentals at Chase Center offering premium seating, catering options, and exclusive amenities for corporate events and private gatherings during games. Targeted at corporate entertainment buyers.
• Valkyries Merchandise Official team merchandise including jerseys, apparel, accessories, and collectibles available through the Valkyries Shop online storefront and the physical Golden State Team Shop at Chase Center. Sold to individual fans and collectors.
• Valkyries Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android devices providing game schedules, ticket access, team news, video content, and gameday experience features for Valkyries fans.

Quantifiable outcome

• WNBA-leading 12,000+ season ticket holders and sold-out games at 18,000-seat Chase Center
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• IREN Ltd.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 June 2026AI cloud computing provider signed multiyear deal to feature logo on NBA Warriors game jerseys starting next season. Agreement also includes Valkyries warm-up gear and continued signage at Valkyries games. Part of AI data center boom reaching mainstream visibility through sports sponsorship.
• RakutenflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Multi-year partnership extension making Rakuten the longest-committed partner in Valkyries history. Rakuten transitioning from jersey badge partner to focus on fan engagement and community impact initiatives. Includes $12 million in contributions to Golden State Community Foundation for educational equity and local community initiatives. Partnership began in 2017.
• JPMorganChasecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor mentioned in context of $78 million revenue during inaugural season. One of several corporate sponsors supporting the franchise.
• SephoracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor and beauty partner mentioned in context of inaugural season sponsorships and media day sponsorship.
• United AirlinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor mentioned in context of $78 million revenue during inaugural season.
• Kaiser PermanentecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare sponsor presenting home opener and promotional events. Also sponsoring themed nights like coaches recognition.
• CarMaxcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for expansion draft selections announcement and 2026 WNBA Draft.
• FanaticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 'Slam Night' promotional event with merchandise giveaways.
• ChasecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented opening night events and inaugural season promotional giveaways including t-shirts for fans.
• ValQueeriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots LGBTQ+ fan group organizing watch parties and community events. Formed organically to build community around fandom, reflecting broader WNBA culture of LGBTQ+ acceptance.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Atlanta Dream: WNBA franchise in a major Southeastern market undergoing a commercial transformation under recent ownership. Comparable as a peer WNBA team with new-investor dynamics, premium venue ambitions, and rising sponsorship portfolio.
• Los Angeles Sparks: California-based WNBA franchise competing for the same broader regional fanbase and sponsorship dollars. Comparable as a major-market WNBA team with shared-state rivalry dynamics and venue economics through Crypto.com Arena.
• New York Liberty: 2024 WNBA champions owned by Joe Tsai and based at Barclays Center. Comparable as a high-valuation WNBA franchise leveraging a premium NBA-owned arena, deep sponsorship pipeline, and a major-market fanbase — a close analog for venue and revenue model.
• Minnesota Lynx: Multi-time WNBA champion with one of the league's strongest historical winning cultures. Comparable as a benchmark WNBA franchise for sustained on-court excellence, fan loyalty, and operational best practice.
• Seattle Storm: Established WNBA franchise with multiple championships. Comparable as a direct WNBA competitor on the court and a peer in sponsorship strategy; notably the team that acquired Flau'jae Johnson from the Valkyries in April 2026.
• Chicago Sky: Established WNBA franchise operating in a top-tier U.S. media market. Comparable as a peer WNBA team competing for sponsorships, broadcast inventory, and brand positioning at the league level.
• Indiana Fever: WNBA franchise that has experienced explosive growth in valuation, attendance, and sponsorship since 2024 driven by star talent (Caitlin Clark). Highly comparable as a WNBA team whose rapid commercial trajectory mirrors the Valkyries' $500M-to-$1B valuation journey.
• Phoenix Mercury: WNBA franchise operating out of the same Footprint Center used by the Phoenix Suns (NBA), mirroring the Valkyries' shared-arena model with the Warriors. Strong regional brand and comparable fan-engagement model in a similar Western U.S. market.
• Las Vegas Aces: Defending WNBA champions and the league's standard-setter for on-court success, premium venue economics (Michelob Ultra Arena), and star-driven sponsorship. Comparable as a flagship WNBA franchise with strong ticket demand, deep sponsor portfolio, and championship-caliber roster.

Broad incumbents

• Golden State Warriors: The NBA team that shares ownership (Joe Lacob/Peter Guber), the Chase Center venue, and operational infrastructure with the Valkyries. Not a direct competitor on the court, but the most important comparable for venue economics, sponsorship tiering, and back-office leverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/valkyries
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ValkyriesWNBA
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoldenStateValkyries
• Instagraminstagram.com/valkyries
• TikToktiktok.com/@valkyries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/golden-state-valkyries

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Golden State Valkyries