\u2014 Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) May 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Generally speaking, the Golden State being the most valuable team in the league isn\u2019t a surprise, especially considering they had already racked up $500M last season and were at the top of the charts. They have built on that foundation perfectly, adding around $78M in revenue through 2025 alongside other major sources.<\/p>\n The Valkyries were blooming, with attendance and merchandise sales at record levels last season, which contributed significantly to their revenue. For instance, reports suggest that the franchise\u2019s season ticket stocks sold out last year. On top of that, the team\u2019s home games at the Chase Center also got sold out every time.<\/p>\n The average attendance of the Valkyries\u2019 home games was in the neighborhood of 18,000, quite an impressive number. \u201cHistory isn\u2019t just made on the hardwood; it\u2019s forged in the stands,\u201d team President Jess Smith said after the team\u2019s steller attendance numbers last season.<\/p>\n On top of that, since the franchise gained prominence, merchandise sales have surged along with it. The team\u2019s valuation isn\u2019t limited to that, because lucrative sponsorships also affect brand value. Currently, the Valkyries are in association with top-tier sponsors like JPMorganChase, Sephora, and United Airlines, which puts the team in the league forefront in terms of valuation.<\/p>\n From Nakase\u2019s assessment, it\u2019s pretty clear that she\u2019s just interested in the team\u2019s on-court stuff. But that plays a role in the growth of a team\u2019s brand value as well. And in that regard she did a great job in her first year at the Valkyries helm, giving the team an identity, which is quite important for any expansion team. The team reached the playoffs last year, losing out to the Minnesota Lynx in the first round but it gave them a room for a foundation. And for all the money, they are looking to build from where they left off last season.<\/p>\n Addressing it in her conversation, Natalie Nakase clearly reflected that while the ownership is doing the job perfectly, taking the team to a new ceiling on-court rests on her shoulders. \u201cWe want to win too,\u201d she said. \u201cI was hired for a reason too. So, I got to do my job. They\u2019re shooting for the stars and they are being top of their game, and so that just pushes me more.\u201d<\/p>\n USA Today via Reuters<\/p>\n Las Vegas Aces first assistant coach Natalie Nakase reacts during the first half Las Vegas Aces at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n The fandom around the WNBA isn\u2019t going anywhere. With lucrative broadcasting deals for the league, its spectrum is only expanding. And in turn, it\u2019s quite certain that Golden State Valkyries will get more visibility and fandom as years pass by. But it must be remembered that it is ultimately tied to the team\u2019s league positioning. And head coach Nakase knows perfectly where she sees her team in that regard.<\/p>\n Natalie Nakase Isn\u2019t Relying on Past Success to Build on Valkyries\u2019 Legacy in 2026<\/p>\n Last season was a dream run for an expansion team in its second year. The team went 23-21. making it clear they aren\u2019t just in the league to exist but to bid for silverware. The team\u2019s glorious run gave Natalie Nakase the returns as the league named her the WNBA Coach of the Year<\/a>. But for the Valkyries\u2019 head coach, none of it matters going into 2026 as her team begins from point zero.<\/p>\n \u201cSo for year two, we understand that after a successful year one, nothing carries over, not one basket, not one award,\u201d she said in a recent conversation. \u201cSo, for us our goal for this season is to win a Championship. Here at Golden State, that\u2019s the standard, that\u2019s the expectation. We only hand out banners and collect rings. So with that type of\u00a0 expectation, our goal is to win.\u201d<\/p>\n To honor their aspirations, the franchise has made some right calls as well in the preseason. Trading off Flau\u2019jae Johnson<\/a> on the trade night can be a questionable decision. But the team\u2019s other free agency decisions were quite on point. For instance, the team signed veteran forward Gabby Williams and also brought back Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton to form a strong core going into the 2026 season.<\/p>\n![\"article-image\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ritvan-Pande-3.png\")
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