The Golden State Valkyries have been revolutionary in more ways than one. Natalie Nakase coached a team that was made up of previously bench players to the playoffs. For context, the last expansion franchise, the Atlanta Dream, finished 4-30 in their debut season. Off the court, they made headlines by becoming the most valued franchise in the WNBA. But, ahead of the 2026 season, the Valkyries have gone past all expectations, with their valuation reaching 10 digits. 

The Valkyries remain the most valued team in the league. Sportico estimated it to be a whopping $850 million using their methodology. “The average WNBA team is worth $427 million, based on conversations over the past month with more than 30 people involved with the league, including bankers, investors, lawyers, team executives and owners,” the report said. However, CNBC estimates that the Valkyries have crossed the billion mark. 

“CNBC calculates that the WNBA’s current 15 teams are worth an average of $460 million, 84% more than the league’s most recent expansion fee of $250 million, with average revenue for the 13 teams that participated in the 2025 season at $31 million,” the report mentions. “The Golden State Valkyries, which joined the league in 2025, lead the pack at a valuation of $1 billion. It’s the first time a women’s team in any sport has been valued at $1 billion.”

According to CNBC, the Valkyries led the WNBA with $78 million in revenue. The Valkyries’ average home attendance last season was a league-leading 18,064, and this season they became the first WNBA team to sell 12,000 season tickets. Despite the numbers, fans remain skeptical regarding the franchise’s future. The number demonstrates trust in the management to continue growing but the front office’s 2026 draft decisions don’t infuse trust for the fans. 

Golden State Valkyries 2026 Draft Strategy Causes Doubts After 1 Billion Valuation

“Yet Can’t Draft A Player to Make the Team,” wrote a fan. The valuation does not change the fact that the Valkyries screwed up the 2026 draft. Big time. The team managed to turn the eighth overall 2026 WNBA Draft pick into just a 2028 second-rounder in a trade with the Seattle Storm. The Storm drafted Johnson at eighth, who is a possible all-star. 

The player whom the Valkyries drafted in the trade, Marta Suarez, was waived after a training camp stint. Beyond that, they don’t have a rookie on their roster apart from Justin Jocyte, who is a 2025 draft pick that did not play last year. So, while the business is soaring the front office has not made the best decisions this offseason. 

“imagine if they kept flau’jae,” wrote fan. Flau’jae Johnson was the NIL leader when it came to college basketball. Her brand deals, rap career and business sense is unparalleled and she could have brought another set of fans to the Valkyries. It could have given them the star power the team lacks as compared to the Aces or the Fever. 

“Who? wtf never even heard of that franchise before this post 😂😂 . 🧢. Gotta be any team CC or AW are on,” wrote a fan. Well, that would be the first instinct but the Valkyries dethroned Caitlin Clark’s Fever to lead the league in attendance. The Aces were in the middle of the pack with an approximate attendance of 11,500 per game. 

While Clark and Wilson bring the star power and the championships, there are more mechanics to this valuation than just player popularity. It’s the business and the future plans on business growth and the reputation of the owners among the investors. 

“To calculate WNBA team values CNBC spoke with dozens of people with detailed information about league and team finances, including WNBA and NBA executives, and sports bankers who have represented investors in WNBA teams,” CNBC mentioned in their methodology. “Our WNBA team values are current enterprise values — equity plus net debt — and are control stake valuations. Revenue figures in the table are for the 2025 season.”

That’s where the Valkyries shine with Joe Lacob and Co. 

“Gotta be our owners and investors,” guessed a fan. The Joe Lacob-led ownership group has given the Valkyries multiple benefits. First of all, being located in the Bay Area gives them a basketball-hungry fan base. The ownership already has a track record in managing basketball teams. And their synergy with the Warriors gives them marketing tools and trust that others simply don’t have. 

Now, one would argue that the Fever have the same with the “Pacers Sports & Entertainment” (PSE) umbrella, which is owned by the Simon family. Yet, they are a smaller market and their rise is largely guided by one player: Caitlin Clark. That is seen as a rather shaky business prospect, while the Valkyries have stable ground and infrastructure that is reliable. The Fever won’t have the same pull if Caitlin Clark leaves. 

“It’ll be a “flex” if they ever win a title,” commented a fan. Ultimately everything adds upto performance. These numbers will remain empty unless the franchise achieves something on the court. But they are indicators of where the team is going and a good launchpad to achieve that goal of a WNBA title. This culture, the fans and the facilities the Valkyries provide make them an ideal destination for elite players in the years to come.