# Valkyries' non-negotiable title

> The Golden State Valkyries won the WNBA championship without compromise.
- Title: Valkyries' non-negotiable title · The San Francisco Standard
- Summary: The Golden State Valkyries won the WNBA championship without compromise. golden state valkyries, wnba, nate nakase · reported by The San Francisco Standard.
- Keywords: golden state valkyries, wnba, nate nakase, ohemaa nyanin, janelle salaun, kayla thornton, tiffany hayes, veronica burton, kiah stokes, kaila charles, angel reese, napheesa collier
- Source: The San Francisco Standard — https://sfstandard.com/2026/11/02/golden-state-valkyries-championship-ohemaa-nyanin-wnba
- Published: 2026-11-02T20:17:52+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: golden state valkyries, wnba, nate nakase, ohemaa nyanin, janelle salaun, kayla thornton, tiffany hayes, veronica burton, kiah stokes, kaila charles, angel reese, napheesa collier
## The Valkyries' championship mindset
Natalie Nakase said the Valkyries would 'punch first' with a non-negotiable physicality and focused mindset.

> They’re punching first
## No compromises in the championship run
The Valkyries won the WNBA championship without bending their principles or making concessions.

> We’re dictating the first pass, we’re dictating everything tonight
## The team's inner circle
Gabby Williams described the Valkyries as having a tight inner circle where only trusted members could participate.

> If you were inside the bubble, you were trusted 100%
## The business model
The Valkyries' business operation, set up by president Jess Smith, generated strong financial results without roster compromises.

> This is what happens when you invest in women’s sports
## No superstar required
The Valkyries won the championship without an All-Star or first- or second-team All-WNBA player.

> My oh my have the Valkyries, without an All-Star or first- or second-team All-WNBA player this season, blown up that formula
## Defensive strategy
Natalie Nakase prioritized defense over offense, benching Janelle Salaun to focus on team chemistry.

> Nakase insisted the Valkyries could win a championship with elite defense
## The roster decisions
General manager Ohemaa Nyanin made key decisions to keep the team's identity intact without compromising.

> Nyanin easily could’ve compromised a bit and just kept Johnson
## The future outlook
The Valkyries will continue their non-negotiable approach to winning championships without major roster changes.

> They want competitors. They want winners. They want to keep doing this.
## The business success
The Valkyries' business model, starting with a $50 million purchase price, is now worth over $1 billion.

> This franchise began from nothing with a $50 million purchase price
## The team's identity
The Valkyries' identity is defined by their non-negotiable principles and commitment to team chemistry.

> The whole point of the Valkyries credo is that the team’s the star
## The championship impact
The Valkyries' championship win has inspired millions of fans and created a new model for women's sports.

> By the earth-rumbling response in the arena, I know 18,000-plus agreed wholeheartedly
## The future roster
The Valkyries will continue to attract top talent while maintaining their non-negotiable team identity.

> They want competitors. They want winners. They want to keep doing this
## The business model
The Valkyries' business model, set up by president Jess Smith, generated strong financial results without roster compromises.

> This is what happens when you invest in women’s sports
## The team's identity
The Valkyries' identity is defined by their non-negotiable principles and commitment to team chemistry.

> The whole point of the Valkyries credo is that the team’s the star
## The championship impact
The Valkyries' championship win has inspired millions of fans and created a new model for women's sports.

> By the earth-rumbling response in the arena, I know 18,000-plus agreed wholeheartedly
## Key takeaway

The Golden State Valkyries won the WNBA championship without compromising their team identity or roster decisions.