The Golden State Valkyries, a brand new WNBA team, opened their state-of-the-art training facility in downtown Oakland. The facility boasts two basketball courts, weight rooms, training facilities, and a players lounge. While the team has made some early signings, they are facing the challenge of building a competitive roster in a league with established stars. Despite the challenges, the team's leadership remains optimistic about their future and their ability to win a championship within five years.
Golden State Valkyries President Jess Smith, co-owner Joe Lacob , General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin and Head Coach Natalie Nakase , from left, celebrating after cutting a ribbon during the grand opening of the team’s training facility at Oakland Marriott City Center in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2005.
(Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)OAKLAND – Fielding questions in Golden State’s pristine performance center in downtown Oakland on Wednesday, Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin made her first public comments since WNBA free agency began this past weekend. It was part of a busy day that included three free agent signings to go along with the unveiling of the facility located in the heart of downtown. “I think we have put our best foot forward in being able to talk to athletes and tell our story from where we are and how we’re building,” Nyanin said. “We’re building from the ground up.” Team owner Joe Lacob, sitting in a row with Nyanin, team president Jess Smith and coach Natalie Nakase, pointed out that the team is working against its lack of history and dearth of established players that can draw others to the team. “We are a startup, and we have no players to start with,” said Lacob, who did wonders after purchasing the Warriors. “I do think it’s challenging the first year or so, but you know what? It’s all the much more rewarding when we have success.” The Golden State Valkyries logo on the court during the grand opening of the team’s training facility at the Oakland Marriott City Center in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2005. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) The Valkyries made 28-year-old forward Monique Billings their first-ever free agent signing on Monday, but had otherwise remained quiet as superstars around the league have moved across the country. That was until Wednesday morning, when the team announced a slew of international signings to bolster the frontcourt. The most notable being French Olympian Janelle Salaün, who won silver in the 2024 Olympic games and averaged 14.1 points per game for Italian team Familia Schio. Her younger brother is Charlotte Hornets rookie Tidjane Salaün. “Her mentality and approach to the game make her exactly the type of player we want to build around as we establish our foundation in the league,” Nakase said in a statement from the team. The Valkyries also added 6-foot-4 Belgian center Kyara Linskens, a 28-year-old who most recently played for Dynamo Kursk in Russia. Maryland alum Chloe Bibby has played overseas since graduating in 2022 and shot 47 percent from 3-point distance in the most recent EuroCup competition. Though international standouts bring the Valkyries roster up to 11 officially signed players, they certainly lack the star power of signings made over the past few days. Six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd was traded from Seattle to the Las Vegas Aces, while Kelsey Plum was moved from Vegas to Los Angeles in a blockbuster trade. Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally have teamed up on the Phoenix Mercury, while the franchise’s longtime superstar Brittney Griner signed with the same Atlanta team that acquired Brionna Jones. Defensive stalwart Natasha Howard, perennial All-Star DeWanna Bonner and two-time champion Sydney Colson have all signed with Indiana. Meanwhile, the only other moves Golden State has made so far are signing Veronica Burton and Julie Vanloo to training camp contracts. Members of the media get a tour of the locker room during the grand opening of the Golden State Valkyries training facility at the Oakland Marriott City Center in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2005. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) But there’s still time to make more moves, and in the highly competitive world of WNBA free agency, having its own practice facility could be an advantage over other teams that may be lacking in that area. The Valkyries Performance Center on Broadway was previously used by the Warriors from 1997-2019, and has two basketball courts, weight and training rooms, hot and cold tubs and a players lounge with what was described as “world-class amenities.” “It is a major investment to do this,” said Lacob, who reiterated that he believes the team can win a championship within five years. “We’re going to do every aspect of this right, and we’re going to build what I believe will be the greatest and most valuable women’s sports organization anywhere in the world.”WNBA free agency is underway. What will the Valkyries do? The Valkyries joined Las Vegas, Seattle and Phoenix on the list of teams that have their own practice facilities in 2025, with Chicago, Dallas, and New York planning on having one built in 2026 and Los Angeles also has plans for its own facility. That still leaves five other WNBA teams that share a practice and training space with another organization, and have no immediate plans of building their own space
WNBA Golden State Valkyries Free Agency Training Facility Joe Lacob Ohemaa Nyanin Natalie Nakase Janelle Salaün Kyara Linskens Chloe Bibby
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