Golden State Valkyries secure $1 billion valuation after winning WNBA championship

The Golden State Valkyries secured the WNBA championship on Saturday, a milestone that caps a rapid financial ascent for the franchise. The team defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a decisive Game 7, marking the first such decisive game in WNBA Finals history.

Forward Gabby Williams anchored the victory with 30 points. She was named the Finals MVP after scoring 15 points in the third quarter and 13 in the fourth. Although she recorded only two points in the first half, her scoring surge in the second half proved decisive. Kiah Stokes contributed 13 rebounds for Golden State.

The roster construction drove the team’s competitive success and market value. The Valkyries signed Williams after her first All-Star selection and acquired Stokes from the Las Vegas Aces via free agency. Guard Veronica Burton directed the offense, leading the team in assists during the regular season. Head coach Natalie Nakase, the reigning Coach of the Year, adjusted her rotation and starting lineup after Game 3 to stabilize the series.

The team’s business performance mirrors its on-court trajectory. In May, CNBC valued the franchise at $1 billion, a threshold no other WNBA team has reached. The Valkyries share a principal ownership group with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. During the 2026 regular season, the team led the league in both average and total attendance. Every home game at the Chase Center sold out across the team’s two seasons.

The championship clincher occurred in Golden State’s second season of existence. In their inaugural year, the Valkyries finished with a 23-21 record. That performance made them the first expansion team in league history to reach the postseason in their first year. The team bowed out in the first round of that year’s playoffs.

Atlanta avoided elimination in Game 6, which was played at State Farm Arena. The game began at 12:30 p.m. ET due to scheduling conflicts with other events at the venue. The Dream’s typical home arena seats fewer than 4,000 spectators. The final game concluded with purple confetti falling onto the court as the Valkyries celebrated their title.

Williams acknowledged the coaching staff’s strategy during her post-game remarks. She stated that she listened to Nakase’s instruction to be patient in the first half. The coach’s tactical adjustments in the latter part of the series allowed the team to retake the lead and close out the matchup.