Golden State Valkyries WNBA Story: How a 2-Year-Old Franchise is Changing The Business of Women’s Sports

The Golden State Valkyries are chasing their first WNBA title, and after taking a 2-0 lead over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals, they are now one win away from the Finals. But the biggest victory of their remarkable second season may not have happened on the basketball court. Sportico reports that Golden State has crossed $100 million in 2026 regular-season revenue, making the Valkyries the first WNBA franchise, and the first women’s professional sports team, to reach that mark.

That number becomes even more striking when placed against the franchise’s timeline. The Valkyries did not play their first WNBA game until 2025. Their debut season produced a then-record $78 million in revenue, while their valuation has since soared. CNBC has valued the franchise at $1 billion, while Sportico’s latest figure stands at $850 million. What began with a $50 million expansion fee in 2023 has, in less than three years, become one of the biggest commercial stories in women’s sports.

Golden State Valkyries’ $100M WNBA Revenue Explosion