# Golden State Valkyries Bandwagon

> The Golden State Valkyries, a new WNBA team, are poised to win their first championship after sweeping the Las Vegas Aces.
- Title: Golden State Valkyries Bandwagon · The San Francisco Standard
- Summary: The Golden State Valkyries, a new WNBA team, are poised to win their first championship after sweeping the Las Vegas Aces. The Golden State Valkyries, a WNBA…
- Keywords: golden state valkyries, wnba, gabby williams, natalie nakase, atlanta dream, playoffs, expansion team, championship, news, local, Golden, State
- Source: The San Francisco Standard — https://sfstandard.com/2026/10/13/golden-state-valkyries-bandwagon-wnba-fans-gabby-williams
- Published: 2026-10-13T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: golden state valkyries, wnba, gabby williams, natalie nakase, atlanta dream, playoffs, expansion team, championship, news, local
## Valkyries clinch playoff berth
The Golden State Valkyries celebrated on the court at Chase Center after clinching a playoff berth for the second consecutive season.
## Underdog status
After sweeping the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces, Gabby Williams acknowledged the underdog reality: 'We ’bout to have some bandwagoners, because we ain’t get no love all season.'

> We ’bout to have some bandwagoners, because we ain’t get no love all season
## Record-breaking expansion
The Valkyries were established in 2023 and played their first game in 2025 after Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob paid a $50 million fee to join the WNBA.
## Championship pedigree
Natalie Nakase, a WNBA coach with no prior head coaching experience, won the Coach of the Year award after leading the Valkyries to the playoffs.
## Roster castoffs
The Valkyries filled their roster with players left unprotected by previous teams, including Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini, and Kayla Thornton.
## Gabby Williams signing
After the WNBA and Players Association agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement, Golden State signed Gabby Williams to a multiyear deal worth more than $1 million annually.
## Bench scoring record
The Valkyries averaged 35.9 bench points per game, topping the previous high of 35.0 set by the 2020 Aces.
## Home-court advantage
The Valkyries have a 17-5 home record in the playoffs, with fans creating a 'Ballhalla' energy that helps them win at Chase Center.
## Valuation milestone
Less than three years after joining the WNBA, CNBC valued the Valkyries at $1 billion, making them the most valuable women’s sports franchise.
## First WNBA title
The Valkyries swept the Las Vegas Aces in the playoffs to win their first WNBA championship.
## Key takeaway

The Golden State Valkyries, a WNBA expansion team, won their first championship after sweeping the Las Vegas Aces in the playoffs.