The Golden State Valkyries made a resounding debut in San Francisco's Chase Center with an enthusiastic crowd of over 17,000 cheering for their first exhibition game. Despite losing narrowly to the Los Angeles Sparks, the community's energy highlighted their long-awaited support for women's basketball. The Valkyries, as the WNBA's first expansion team in 17 years, already sold over 10,000 season tickets, signaling strong local backing and suggesting a positive trajectory for women's sports in a historically underserved market.
"It was a blessing to finally see all of this come to pass," said forward Kayla Thornton, who won... then transitioned into the excitement of the home crowd and the historic moment for the franchise.
"The fervor is to be expected; far too many in the Bay Area have waited far too long to see this day. Somehow, the WNBA never had a team in this massive, diverse market with a history of supporting women's basketball."
"They're trying to call Chase Center 'Ballhalla,' perhaps believing a little Nordic mythology wordplay will conjure thoughts of a blissful future."
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