The Dream Deferred

My niece announced to our global family chat that she’s been supporting the Valkeries “from the start.” And she’s right. But “the start” wasn’t too long ago. The Valkeries, as it turns out, only have fair-weather fans since the weather has been fair since the team has existed. In only their second year, a band of misfits, castoffs, and also-rans just took home the WNBA championship in the league’s first Game 7. Gabby Williams’ 30-point night leads Valkyries over Dream in Game 7 for team’s first championship.

+ I’ve never seen a brand (let alone a sports team brand) evolve this quickly. “Even the biggest women’s basketball events often have a way of feeling niche. Not so within the Bay Area, where the Valkyries have sold out every home game since their inception. And Game 7 was a capital-E Event in the minds of everyday commuters, Uber drivers, hotel receptionists, and flight attendants. In just two years, the Valkyries have given their fans, players, and staff something that many professional sports franchises spend decades trying to create: a genuine sense of identity, purpose, and belonging.” The Golden State Valkyries Just Changed the WNBA Forever.