The Valkyries' Queer Lovefest Continues as Team Heads to Playoffs
Now heading into the WNBA playoffs, the Golden State Valkyries in mere months have become one of the most successful, lucrative teams in women’s sports. The passion and devotion of their fan base is arguably the strongest and most evident in the entire world of sports. Like a “SwiftQuake” caused by the measurable massive energy of crowds at Taylor Swift concerts, Valkyries fans create their own electrifying energy at Chase Center, Ballhalla, during games. Even the cheers from fans at Rikki’s during Valkyries games echo through the Castro to the offices of the San Francisco Bay Times, helping to spread the palpable joy and excitement.
To say that many women, and particularly many LGBTQ+ women, were awaiting such a team would be an understatement. When the Golden State Warriors announced on October 5, 2023, that they had been awarded a WNBA expansion franchise, the news rippled through the queer community like a Biblical savior harbinger. After decades of pent-up interest, at last a WNBA team would be coming to the Bay Area.
Even with that excitement, few could have predicted the team’s level of success in all respects. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, however, (a former captain of her university’s women’s basketball team) has been closely watching the Valkyries from the beginning, knowing of the Warriors’ golden touch. As she said from the outset, “We are thrilled about expanding to the Bay Area and bringing the WNBA to a region with passionate basketball fans and a strong history of supporting women’s basketball. Joe Lacob, Peter Guber, and their leadership team know how to build and operate a world-class organization, as witnessed by the immense success the Warriors’ franchise has enjoyed from both a business and basketball perspective over the last decade. Their interest in joining the WNBA family is yet another sign of the league’s growth potential.”.......
San Francisco Bay Times sports columnist Beth Schnitzer, who was a former president of Women in Sports and Events, lights up recalling her experiences at Valkyries’ games. “The magic starts from the minute you enter Chase, since there are so many great activations. The DJ (often the amazing DJ LadyRyan) helps build the already high energy, as does the In-Arena Host (Ari Waller), who is responsible for the crowd engagement and directing cheers.”
https://sfbaytimes.com/the-valkyries-queer-lovefest-continues-as-team-heads-to-playoffs/