More than half a year has passed since the WNBA announced that the Golden State Warriors’ ownership group would be given an expansion team in San Francisco. And it’s been more than a week since the expansion team, which was then unidentified, appointed Ohemaa Nyanin as their first general manager.
And now, on the day that the 2024 WNBA season begins — the final season before Golden State enters the fray — we know the name of the Bay Area’s WNBA team.
On Tuesday morning, the squad unveiled their name, logo, and color palette. So we welcome the Golden State Valkyries, the Bay Area’s newest sports team.
Check it out!
A combination of strength and grace, the Golden State Valkyries are writing the next chapter in the epic tale of the WNBA. pic.twitter.com/25NVgnBmU6
— Golden State Valkyries (@wnbagoldenstate) May 14, 2024
The Valkyries went all-in on day one marketing, as they certainly should, even getting Kehlani to narrate their inspiring introductory video.
We are the Golden State Valkyries
Narrated by Kehlani pic.twitter.com/VGY0AAJKa5
— Golden State Valkyries (@wnbagoldenstate) May 14, 2024
They also shared the ins and outs of the gorgeous, highly-detailed logo.
The Valkyries chose to start again with their own color scheme rather than copying the Warriors’. That is a choice that some will undoubtedly criticize, but I like it. There are obvious ties between the two organizations, from the city and arena they call home, to the ownership group, to the name — Dictionary.com defines “valkyrie” as “any of the beautiful maidens attendant upon Odin who bring the souls of slain warriors chosen by Odin or Tyr to Valhalla and there wait upon them” (emphasis mine) — and I like the WNBA squad having the opportunity to brand independently with their own colours.
Unfortunately, we won’t get to see those colors on the court until the 2025 WNBA season, when the Valkyries will debut. But hey, it’s only a year away! And if you’re new to the WNBA but want to follow the Valkyries, I definitely recommend doing so this year – it’s a lot of fun, and League Pass is incredibly cheap.