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Bay FC’s disappointing 2025 season spurred dramatic changes for a franchise that’s eager to become a dominant force in the NWSL.
The team switched CEOs, hired a new coach, and spent much of the offseason overhauling its roster.
All of the moves set the stage for Bay FC to pull off its most ambitious transaction yet. Days before its first preseason game, the club announced a $1.1 million acquisition of Claire Hutton, 20, a rising star who made 13 appearances with the U.S. women’s national team last year.
Hutton immediately becomes the biggest women’s sports star in a Bay Area market that has become a hub for leagues looking to capitalize on an engaged local fan base.
As the Valkyries prep for Year 2 in the WNBA and local high school girls flag football continues to grow, 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet for women’s sports in the Bay Area. Reporter Jane Kenny joined “Section 415” to discuss the latest developments.