May 16, 2025 • 38 mins
The 2025 WNBA season has finally arrived and we are celebrating with the final installment of The Shootaround. Today we discuss the WNBA’s new expansion team: the Golden State Valkyries. In addition to giving you the stars, stakes, stats and stories you need to know, Sarah also catches up with Valkyries President Jess Smith about how she’s feeling ahead of the team’s first ever regular season game tonight. Plus, the PWHL Finals are coming into focus, Paige Bueckers gets some hometown love, and the NWSL players association speaks out.
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The WNBA schedule is here
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The PWHL playoff schedule is here
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Watch the PWHL playoffs here
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The NWSL schedule can be found here
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Read the full NWSLPA statement here
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Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com
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Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're riding
the cable car, eating the super burrito and sipping a
big Bold Cab. We're in the Bay Area to catch
the very first Golden State Valkyrie game. It's Friday, May sixteenth,
Happy Friday Slices. On today's show, we'll be finishing up
the shoot around our team by team WNBA season previews
with the newest franchise in the league, the Golden State Valkyries.
(00:22):
We'll bring you my conversation from earlier this week with
Valkyrie's president Jess Smith, who told us how she's feeling
ahead of the team's first ever regular season game tonight,
the culture she's striving to create around the franchise, and
how she's working to build lasting connections with fans. Plus
Paigebeckers get some hometown love, the NWSL Players Association speaks out,
and one half of the PWHL Finals is set. It's
(00:45):
all coming up right after this Welcome Back Slices. Here's
what you need to know today in hoops. The WNBA
(01:06):
season starts tonight. Can you believe it? We're stoked over here.
There are three games on the schedule, including one we
mentioned before the break the Golden State Valkyrie's first official
regular season game against the Los Angeles Sparks. That one
will tip off at ten pm Eastern inside Chase Center,
and it'll be available to watch live on Ion and
(01:26):
with the WNBA League Pass subscription. I cannot wait to
see the show the Valks put on for their first
set of fans. I get the feeling it's going to
be an insane atmosphere. Elsewhere, It's officially Page Becker's Day.
In Hopkins, Minnesota. The Dallas Wings number one overall draft
pick played her high school ball at Hopkins High, in
a city where council members moved to celebrate her WNBA
(01:48):
debut tonight by renaming the city Page Beckers, Minnesota for
the day. They also declared that May sixteenth will henceforth
be known as Pagebackers Day. I love it when they
use fancy words like hens. Fourth entrance signs to the
city now show its new name, and street signs along
Main Street and Hopkins also read Becker's Boulevard. Talk about
(02:09):
showing some love to a hometown hero. So good. Becker's
w career officially begins tonight when her Wings take on
the Minnesota Links at seven thirty pm Eastern down in Arlington, Texas.
Just five days from now, on the twenty first, Dallas
will travel to Minnesota to play at Target Center, and
we get the feeling that one's going to be packed
full of Hopkinsians? Is that a thing? The last opening
(02:32):
night game tonight is producer Miches Washington Mystics versus The
Atlanta Dream in DC. Our first look at Britney Grinder
in a dream jersey. She left for Atlanta this offseason
after playing her first eleven seasons in Phoenix. That's a
seven thirty pm Eastern tip off at care First Arena.
We'll throw the full schedule for this weekend's games in
our show notes so you can plan accordingly. Also, the
(02:54):
start of the w season means the end of the
road for players who didn't make final cuts. You can
find each team's official roster on WNBA dot com. Just
toggle to the team's tab at the top of your
screen and navigate to the roster so you can see
who will and won't be suiting up to start the season.
Included in that last round of cuts fan favorite Caitlin
(03:14):
Chen out of Yukon, who was waved by the Valkyries
ahead of tonight's season opener. More on that and the
final Valx roster later in the show. Also cut before
game one of the season, Diamond to Shields, a former
All Star in twenty nineteen and former champ with the
Chicago Sky in twenty twenty one, after being waved by
the Connecticut Sun, she posted this video reminding us that
(03:35):
all these cuts don't just cause heartbreak in terms of
wanting to play ball, but also frustration figuring out the
logistics of what's next and where to go. Here's de Shields.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Getting waved is crazy because, like, what do you do
after you get waved? I got all my stuff up
here that I drove in a rental car from Atlanta,
and now I have to drive all my stuff back
(04:09):
to Atlanta. But I can't see no finer rental car
because none are available anywhere. So I need to figure
out how I'm gonna get my stuff back to Atlanta.
(04:30):
The team will ship three to five boxes, but I
have more than.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Three to five boxes worth of stuff. Of course. The
other side of the coin is the joy when a
rookie does make the squad, like South Carolina Sinaia Fagan,
the Sparks filmed the moment that she found out she
made the team. Talking to Sparks, GM Reagan, Peebley take
a lessen. It's really hard for second round picks, you know,
(04:57):
third round picks to make this team.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
You know you made it. I was in the carry,
I said.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Brady text me in too, I was in.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
The car cry.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
They also caught her FaceTime with former college coach Don Staley, too.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
What amazing see thanks.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
I knew you make.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
She did so good.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
She did so good. We told her Coach Staley, she
made this scene because she had great practice habits.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
We love to see that joy. It does make up
a little bit for the sadness of the cuts. And remember,
during the season, w NBA teams will have to contend
with players, national team commitments, potential injuries, and more, which
could result in your faves getting picked up on contracts.
You just never know more WNBA news. On Thursday, the
w announced the launch of No Space for Hate, a
(05:54):
league wide platform focused on promoting respect across the w NBA.
Per the league's Instagram post, quote from enhanced social media
and arena security to increased mental health support, We're taking
action to create a safer, more unified space for all
because in the W respect is non negotiable end quote.
You might remember. About a month ago, W Commissioner Kathy
(06:15):
Engelbert announced that the league had assembled a dedicated task
force for combating hate and vitriol directed toward players and teams.
This came after multiple players complained last year of an
uptick in racist, homophobic, and misogynist comments directed at them
on social media, also incidents of harassment, including Branda Stewart's
wife receiving threatening emails to hockey. The reigning Walter Cup
(06:37):
champion Minnesota Frost are headed back to the PWHL Finals.
The team secured a three games to one series victory
with a four to three win over the Toronto Scepters
in overtime on Wednesday night. Two Friends of the Show
came up big, with Kelly Panic scoring once and Kendall
Coin Schofield put in two in the back of the net.
Taylor Heizi scored the overtime winner for the Frost at
(06:57):
the sixteen minute mark of the extra period. It was
a valiant effort from the Scepters, but they couldn't pull
off the win. And now they've seen their season end
at the hands of the Frost for two straight years
in the semi finals, two out of two seasons getting
iced out of the finals by the Frost. That is
the makings of a true blue rivalry in this very
young league. Friends, The other series between the Ottawa Charge
(07:19):
in Montreal Victoire could conclude tonight. If Ottawa gets the win,
they lead the series two games to one and host
Montreal tonight at seven pm Eastern for Game four. The Victoire,
this year's number one seed, of course, hoping to grab
a w and force a Game five. You can catch
that contest alive on the PWHL's YouTube channel and we'll
link to it in our show notes. Moving on to soccer,
(07:41):
the NWSL Players Association made a post on Instagram on
Wednesday calling for protocol changes after Savvy King's on field
medical emergency last Friday. A refresher on this story. Twenty
year old ACFC defender Savvy King collapsed on the field
in the seventy fourth minute of her team's game against
the Utah Royals Friday. Medical staff tended to or for
ten minutes doing CPR and chess compressions before she was
(08:03):
ultimately taken off the field on a cart. Doctors have
since discovered that King had a heart abnormality, and she's
undergone successful surgery. The NWSLPA is the loudest group giving
the league heat for not suspending the game after the
scary situation. In an Instagram post, the NWSLPA stated, in
part quote, the match should not have continued. Our members
(08:24):
are elite, world class competitors who have proven they can
perform under unimaginable conditions. That doesn't mean they should have to.
While the medical response demonstrated the highest level of competence
and care, the decision to continue play demonstrated how player
safety is weighed and operationalized in real time. Incidents of
this severity must prioritize our collective humanity and should automatically
(08:46):
trigger suspension of the match. The Players Association is committed
to making this the standard. In NWSL end quote, we'll
link to the full statement in our show notes and
keep you updated as the situation unfolds. More. NWSL Racing
Louisville has made Caitlin Milby it's new general manager after
she spent the last six months filling in in an
interim capacity. In November twenty twenty four, Milby stepped in
(09:07):
after former GM Ryan Dell left to pursue another job
in the soccer industry. She's seen Racing through its best
start in team history this season three, three and two.
The twenty eight year old former D one footy player
has an extensive history with the club. She interned with
Racing's parent company, Soccer Holding's LLC in twenty seventeen, and
then began work as Louisville's director of operations in twenty
twenty two. Her new role is guaranteed through the twenty
(09:29):
twenty sixth season, with an option for twenty twenty seven.
There are four NWSL games on Tap tonight, including the
league leading Kansas City Current visiting the number two Orlando
Pride at eight pm Eastern on Prime Video. Kansas City's
Debinia and tem Wusheweinga and the Pride's Barbara Banda are
all hot on the heels of Golden Boot leader Esterere
Gonzalaz of Gotham FC. Gonzalez is put in seven goals
(09:51):
on the air, while Debinia sits at five and Showeinga
and Banda at four. We'll link to the full weekend
schedule in our show notes. Slices. Can you believe we
made it to our last WNBA team preview? That means
just one thing, actual games tonight. Maybe a sky fan yell,
But I got so many side pieces I might actually need,
(10:13):
like a custom jersey with a little piece of each
of the thirteen WNBA team jerseys on it. You know, Gosh,
women's sports truly makes me into that person that says,
I hope both teams have fun, and I'm not mad
about it. I'm excited to watch everyone. We got to
take a quick break. When we come back, We've got
things to say about the new team in the Bay.
(10:42):
Welcome back, slices. Before we get to the w's first
expansion team since two thousand and eight, let's take a
quick trip down memory lane to get fully caught up
on league history and all the expansions and contractions we've
witnessed over the last twenty nine years. When the WNBA
played its first season back in nineteen ninety seven, there
were eight teams, and in the seasons that followed, the
(11:02):
league quickly expanded to ten teams in nineteen ninety eight,
twelve teams in nineteen ninety nine, and sixteen teams. Yeah,
sixteen in two thousand, but beginning in two thousand and two,
the league started shrinking, so even as new expansion teams
entered the league, others closed up shop, like the four
time WNBA champion at Houston Comments. Since two thousand and nine,
(11:24):
when the Sacramento Monarchs franchise folded, the league has been
stuck at twelve teams. So while Valkyrie's history officially starts tonight,
just know that this isn't the most teams the league
has ever had, and this isn't the first time Northern
California has had a WNBA team. During their ten seasons
in the WNBA, the Monarchs made the playoffs nine times,
(11:45):
winning the championship in two thousand and five. All right,
let's get back to the present and the Golden State Valkyries.
We'll run you through the very short Valkyrie history that
you need to know. The Bay was awarded a team
back in October of twenty twenty three and have been
working towards tonight itights regular season opener ever since. The
squad will play its home games at Chase Center in
San Francisco, also home to the mnba's Golden State Warriors,
(12:08):
and it's headquartered at the Warriors' former practice facility remade
and rebranded as Valkyrie's Performance Center, a thirty one tho
eight hundred square foot training and development space complete with
two full sized courts, a locker room, weight room, training room,
hot and cold pools, and a dedicated player lounge, plus
a variety of world class amenities. The Valkyries are led
(12:29):
by head coach Natalie Nicasse, her first season in charge
of a w team after sixteen seasons of pro coaching,
including the last three years as first assistant coach with
the Las Vegas Aces. Nicasse brings her two titles from
Vegas with her to the Bay and is the first
Asian American head coach in the WNBA. The team is
owned by Joe lacub, also the majority owner of the
Warriors since twenty ten. This team's twenty twenty five tagline
(12:52):
welcome to the w Let's talk additions and losses. Now
obviously no losses for this team because they didn't exist
last season. All of their additions were made via the
Expansion Draft, free agency, and the WNBA Draft last month.
Their first moves in the Expansion Draft were to grab
unprotected players from other teams, most notably Kate Martin from
the Las Vegas Aces, Temmy fag Bentley from the Indiana Fever,
(13:16):
Stephanie Talbot from the La Sparks, Kayla Thornton from the
New York Liberty, and Cecilia zander Lessini from the Minnesota Lynx.
In free agency, they added Tiffany aka tip Hayes, last
year's sixth Woman of the Year, out of the Las
Vegas Aces. They also made three draft picks, Lithuanian player
Usta Uchita selected at number five, Maryland's Cheyenne Sellers at seventeen,
(13:38):
and Caitlyn Chen out of Yukon at thirty. None of
them are on this year's roster. Sellers and Chen have
both been waived, and nineteen year old Yuchita announced she
would focus on playing with her Lithuanian national team in
the EuroBasket tournament this June. She plans to join the
Valks next season. Now Worth noting that Uchite is one
of seven European players on the Valks. The other sixth
(14:00):
are also expected to represent their countries in EuroBasket, meaning
the team could be without their services for about two
weeks mid season. Golden State also waived third year hopeful
Latsia Amihir ahead of tonight's opener, despite her scoring twenty
points in nineteen minutes in the team's first preseason game
against the La Sparks. As for stars, the Valks hope
(14:20):
this season makes a few stars out of their players
because right now the team has the fewest marquee names
in the league. Tiffany Hayes is the centerpiece, coming off
a sixth Woman of the Year season with the Aces
in twenty twenty four. A twelve year vet entering this
season with her fourth team after stops in Atlanta, Connecticut,
and Vegas, She's undoubtedly got the most experience on the roster.
(14:41):
Then there's Kayla Thornton, fresh off a WNBA championship with
the New York Liberty. She was a key bench player
for that team, but will be tasked with bringing her
defensive tenacity and mid range prowess to a starting role
with the Bay and fan favorite Kate Martin. Drafted out
of Iowa last season by the Aces. She only played
about eleven minutes a game last season, but was beloved
by teammates and fans in Sin City. She'll be a
(15:03):
big part of selling this Valkyrie squad. She's even got
a fan club, the Martinis. There are a couple other
potential stars on this roster two who could have breakout
seasons for head coach Natalie Nicasse. Monique Billings, Temmi Fag Benley,
and Julie vanlu are just a few of those names,
but worth noting none of them have averaged more than
seven and a half points per game over their careers.
(15:23):
The stakes for this squad when it comes to wins
and losses pretty low. Expansion teams are historically unsuccessful in
their first season. Only one of the ten WNBA expansion
franchises has finished over five hundred in its first campaign,
the nineteen ninety eight Detroit Shock and per her hoopstats,
the ten previous WNBA expansion teams have a combined ninety
(15:44):
nine and two hundred and twenty one record in their
inaugural seasons. But expectations are high for the standard that
Golden State is going to set with their facilities, marketing, sponsorships,
and all things business. They've got a support of ownership
group and a fan base that's already setting records and
season ticket sales, becoming the first WNBA team to sell
(16:05):
ten thousand season tickets If They can also sell free
agents on the Bay Area being the place to play.
They can start to add those bigger names to the
roster and work toward becoming contenders. As for stats, since
this is the first season, not much to discuss here,
one thing does stand out. Though no player on the
Valkyrie's roster has a career scoring average in double digits,
(16:26):
the team already does have a few stories and lore
thanks to a headstart they got from some great branding.
The Valkyrie's name is sort of like the female version
of a warrior. It refers to female figures of Norse
mythology who guide the dead to the god Odin's majestic hall, Valhalla,
which is why they call their home arena cleverly ball Halla.
(16:47):
The team described the name and accompanying mythology in a
press release, writing quote, Valkyries are a host of warrior
women who are fearless and unwavering, flying through air and
sea alike. This brand is Golden State's modern interpretation of Vale, strong, bold,
and fierce end quote. The team's colors are Valkyrie, violet, gold,
and black, which just happened to be the colors of
(17:09):
Bay Area natives Sabrini and Escu's Sabrina to court vision
shoes an investor in the nwsls bafc Yanescu's contract with
the Liberty, like so many other players in the w
is up after this season, So there's some juicy lore
for Valks fans. Could sab be looking to make a
return to her native California next season? Maybe matro Jersey
(17:31):
to her shoes. Only time will tell fun fact about
the Valkyrise. During the squad's preseason games, we got to
look at their appropriately named in game loudness gauge called
the Battle Crimemeter, and if President Jess Smith is to
be believed, that thing is going to be hitting its
peak at tonight's home opener. You'll hear from Smith later
in the show. All right, Mesh, I know we have
(17:52):
no history of this team and nothing has happened yet,
but what did I miss?
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Well, Sarah, it makes it pretty hard to tell you
what you miss We literally haven't missed anything.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
We've seen it all.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
We've been here since the team got the bit in
twenty twenty three. Like there's just ah, I don't know,
but what excites me about this squad is Natalie Nicasse
has a very clear vision of what she wants this
team to be, right, I think she's made it very apparent.
She said it herself during the expansion draft that this
team is going to have a defensive identity, which to
(18:24):
me is really a smart play. As we know, and
as you mentioned, historically expansion franchises have not been super successful,
and a lot of that has to do with offense.
But one thing that can neutralize is defense. When you
play strong defense and the other team can't score, you
put yourself in better positions. So I think that's a
great place to start, a great foundation in a building block,
(18:44):
and we've talked about this. I'm also really excited about
all these international players. I think, you know, is there
a potential that we see a different style, something that
is entirely singular compared to the rest of the WNBA.
It's possible because the European the overseas game is it's
just very different than the w.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Yeah, as I mentioned, six European players on this team,
it will be seven when you Cheata joins next year.
And we hear a lot from players after Olympics or
Foeba or other international play about the physicality about the
style over there. So if they're all coming over here
playing that style from a young age professionally, it just
(19:23):
will be interesting. I think I completely agree with you.
We could see a team that decides to be stylistically
so different from the rest of the league that it
just puts other teams on their heels. I'm also you know,
we've had Jess Smith on the show a couple times.
I am quite clearly a huge fan of hers and
a huge fan of what the Valks are already doing
as a team. When it comes to the business side,
I would join an army and run through a wall
(19:45):
for that woman. I think she is so freaking smart
that I'm just excited to see all the different ways
that they do things in the league the way that
she did at Angel City to change the NWSL. Frankly,
the Valks could operate in a way that inspires a
lot of other teams to do their way too, and
opens up some new doors for how the w does business.
So I'm excited for that as much as I am
(20:05):
for the product on the floor.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
And the last thing I'm gonna say, Sarah, if Kailani
would just like to be the standing halftime entertainment for
the entire WNBA season.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
I would be okay with that, like she that's I
love me, Kaylani.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
But it's not just them, it's too short, it's e forty,
it's all of these folks that just are deeply ingrained
in the culture in the Bay in Oakland. And I
just love the fact that that juice is now getting
infused into the WNBA.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
I'm pretty pumped for that too. We have to take
another break when we come back. My chat from earlier
this week with Golden State Valkyrie's president Jess Smith, you
won't want to miss it joining us again on the show.
(20:55):
A very busy woman, she's the president of WNBA expansion team,
the Golden State Valcye. He's formerly head of revenue and
head of Corporate Partnerships for Angel CITYFC of the NWSL.
She also spent five years working in men's Major League Soccer,
six years with the Oakland A's a twenty twenty three
sports business journal forty under forty on aren a member
of the twenty twenty three Leaders in Sport under forty class.
We went wine tasted together in Australia and tried to
(21:15):
steal Sabrina and Escu's reserve table at an All Star
weekend party last year. It's friend of the show Jess Smith. Hi, Jess, Hi,
how are you? Jess? I'm so excited to talk to
you right now. We're talking on Monday, but our listeners
are going to hear this Friday, just ahead of the
valkyries first ever regular season games. So I want to
know what's the emotion today and what do you expect
(21:36):
to feel on Friday.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
The emotion today is like an optimistic pressure. You know,
everyone has been building and by everyone, I just mean
the fans, the owners, are staff, you know, relentlessly over
the last eighteen months plus for what Friday will feel like.
And we got a glimpse of it at our home game,
our preseason game last week, which was incredibly special. I
(21:58):
was sitting next to a few sti A members that
had not you know, didn't really know what to expect,
and they just kept leaning over seeing it's so loud
and it was pre season, right, So to think through
what opening Night is going to feel like. We all
know how emotional that will be because we know why
our fans have shown up from day one. We know
what this moment means for us. But to know what
(22:20):
it will mean for our athletes, you know, for both teams.
Very candidly, I think is what makes it most special.
So there's a pressure right now just making sure that
every detail has been thought through to the best of
our ability, to make sure that every partner that is
invested in us and fan that has shown up for
their time and energy and money, you know that it's
everything that they've wished it it would be. So on Friday,
(22:41):
you know, I have the interesting perspective having launched a
team once and I know a little bit of what
this will feel like. So I almost feel like I'm
the captain now of like I'm like walking through the office,
kind of like sharing with people, of like I know,
this is what it feels like today, and this is
what it will feel like Friday, And what it will
feel like is NonStop energy. You won't really be able
(23:03):
to take it in. And then there will be a
moment that each and every person on our team has
that they'll stop for a second and really be able
to take in. And that will feel different for every
single person depending on what they do. So I'll probably
be pretty emotional on Friday just looking around at something
that didn't exist and knowing all the small meetings that
went into it, in every you know, hard moment that
(23:23):
we had to work through to get to where we
are today, and to know that for the rest of time,
that this franchise you know, is here, you know, and
for the Bay Area and beyond that developeries will exist,
and that young girls and boys will be able to
look at these incredible athletes and know that this is
a representation of women's basketball.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
I love that. I always feel cheesy saying this, but
it always reminds me of The Office episode where Jim
and Pam get married and someone gives them the advice
to take a mental picture, to just like stop during
the wedding at different points and look around and take
a little snapshot. It feels like it's going to be
necessary on Friday because it will be a checklist of
a million things get done and make sure it goes smoothly,
but you will want to have that moment of like
(24:04):
just taking a deep breath and looking around at the
thing that you did. I also love that you have
done this before with Angel City, because there is so
much opportunity with a new franchise, but also the decisions
that you make carry a ton of weight. There's not
a lot else to balance. There isn't nostalgia and legacy
and wins and all these other things that fans can
get excited about if you have a misstep or if
(24:24):
you do something they're not really enjoying. You got to
make everything count. So there's the positivity of having this
opportunity to do things the first time. And there's also
really making sure you don't overthink, you don't suffer from
analysis paralysis. You aren't overdoing it to the point that
it becomes too like fraud. So how are you making
(24:44):
sure you take advantage without getting stuck.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
Every time we get too far down that rabbit hole
where we are just looking at too much data to
be totally honest, I come back up and just remember
how we got here in the first place. And that's
honestly listening to our fans. When we went through building
our brand, right, what should the team name be? How
should we define ourselves? We zoomed back out, sat back
(25:09):
and looked at the survey results, and our fans asked
to be named the Valkyries, right, And we didn't want
to overthink that moment. We're like, this is what the
community is asking us. For if they want us to
be bold, if they want us to show up this way,
let's do that. And I think every time we are
in the details that way, we kind of take a
step back and just think of ourselves in their seats.
And I think that's a really great perspective that has
(25:31):
really become part of our culture. And knowing that to
your point that you made, there's nobody that we're replicating,
and that's really beautiful and really difficult at the same time.
Right there's nobody to be like, Hey, how do you
think we should do this? What was this like when
you were when you were building you know, the first
WNBA expansion team since two thousand and eight, you know,
and you know, to be able to execute this way,
(25:53):
we have to make sure we're staying true to the
Bay the bayse culture, you know. On Tuesday, I walked around,
I talked to a lot of our different things and
just said like, what does it feel like being here?
Speaker 1 (26:02):
What do you think?
Speaker 4 (26:03):
And the biggest compliment I heard multiple times was this
feels so Bay Area and that's what we wanted it
to feel. You know, the music, the feeling and the building,
you know, the joy. You know that came through. I
hope that that's what people feel when they're here on Friday,
and it's contagious and if you're not here, that you
(26:23):
know what that feels like, even when you're watching on
television or even when you see something on social media,
or even when you're watching our players talk about what
it's like. So that's that's been something that's really aided us,
is to not get to we want to know the data,
we want to know the details. Were nerds that way,
and we love that and take pride in it. And
yet we also all are emotionally connected, just like our
(26:44):
fans are, and we can't forget to just focus on
what this will feel like and build around that.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Yeah, it almost reminds me of that sweet spot when
you're looking I've heard baseball execs talk about this. Of course,
you look at the saber metrics, and then you also
ask your gut, because if you get too deep in
the numbers and you lose sense of the sort of
human connection, you can make some weird decisions that felt
right on paper, and then everybody at home is like,
what that's weird? You know, one of the great things.
(27:11):
And I heard you talk about this at a conference.
Was this Chase sponsorship with the Letterman's Jackets. This is
such a smart way to work with a sponsor and
create a real thing of value for those who are
on board since day one. Can you tell us about this?
Speaker 4 (27:25):
I can. So, as we sat down with Chase and
we thought through you know, we were talking about them
being represented on our jersey, which you know for us,
the partners that we're going to be in our jersey,
We're like, listen, if you're going to be in our jersey,
we want this to really mean something to our fans. Right.
The jersey already means something when you put it on
first team based culture, players wear it, but how do
(27:46):
we deepen that? You know, and Chase is a great
thought partner this way. You know, they are really storied
in the different marketing work that they do. And as
we talked through why people show up for women's sports
in the first place, right, that deep connection, that wanting
to support something that they believe builds the better tomorrow,
but wanting us and challenging us, you know, from the
data that we had from them to build a really
(28:07):
great fan experience. You know, Chase was like, how do
we lean into that, how do we compliment that, right,
how do we create legacy in that, especially this year,
in something that they can feel pride in on game
day and after game day. And so what they did
was our fans that purchased their season tickets with the
Chase card, they dedicated this really beautiful as you saw
firsthand when we were at the Deep Blue Sports Conference.
(28:30):
It's a great jacket and so it's our we call
our inaugural season ticket holder based the founding Guard as
you would for the val Thries, right. They're here to
protect us and to cheer on our players, and you
know they'll have an opportunity to be wearing that as
they cheer them, you know, both inside Chase Center and elsewhere.
But it's a beautiful gift and something that you know
they were going to buy their season tickets and excited
(28:51):
to be here, and then that was just an add
on and I think something that Chase did really well
of enhancing that opportunity for them to look at with
pride and and brings both of our brands out into
the world even beyond game day.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
Yeah, it's so smart because fans wanna not just be
great supportive fans, but for everyone to know it. We
all know that you always want those proprietary things that
you can only get, and so everyone wearing that jacket
in the stadium on Friday night, everyone will know, oh wow,
they're an OG first season season ticket holder. And it's
just it's a super rad way to connect all those
(29:26):
people too. It's sort of like people who drive jeep
wranglers are supposed to like wave at each other or
something when they drive by. They have like a little
hand signal of let me see you. Yeah, it's like
a wrangler thing. A lot of people where I grew
up had wranglers in high school. And yeah, you're supposed
to like do a little hand signal for each other.
So those Letterman's jacket folks will be walking around giving
each other a little high five that they were part
(29:47):
of that initial founding guard. You know, you mentioned at
that same conference that you believe the Valkyries will have
an insane home court advantage. Why why is it going
to be better than other places? Why is it already
going to be lit even though oh you haven't played
a single game yet that was regular season.
Speaker 4 (30:03):
I mean, that's our that's our job, you know, Ohemma,
our general manager and coach Alie Lacasse had me come
down and our business team and chat with the players,
you know, and just welcome them to the team. And
we said, that's our job. Our job is to create
the best home court advantage for you. And when you
meet our fans, when you see the passion, and you know,
the Bay Area is basketball culture through and through too,
(30:25):
and they've been waiting for this moment, you know, and
that glimpse of preseason. But the other thing that happened
at preseason that I can't wait to continue on Friday
is our fans are so hungry and already creating their
rituals on their own. So at one point our MCRI
she was, you know, v's for Valkyries, and all of
a sudden, the whole crowd was just like throwing up
(30:46):
peace signs, but like V for Valkyries, and We're like, Okay,
that's ours now. I guess we're going to claim that, right.
And I was at a women's sports business event honoring
Ohemma as one of the most inspirational leaders here in
the San Francisco b Area through the San Francisco Business Times,
and she went on stage two days later after a
preseason game, a bunch of women in the crowd are
throwing up the Valkyries insane right in two days time,
(31:07):
and those small moments of everything that our in game
presentation wanted to do, everyone bought in. And you know
what that's like, right, It's when someone's performing, whether it's music, sports, entertainment,
when the crowd, it's the crowd, right, and they are
really the ones. The fans are always the ones that
will dictate that.
Speaker 1 (31:26):
And I've known, you.
Speaker 4 (31:27):
Know, whether I'm talking to somebody one off, or I'm
at an event painting a mural beside our players, you know,
and kinds of permanente in downtown Oakland, it's just a
different vibe, you know, and it's it's something that you know,
we're talking obviously most people are listening to this conversation,
but you can tell them like I'm smiling when I
say it, because it's almost just like when you're a
part of it. It's just so fun but also intense
(31:51):
in a good way, so you can't help, but you
know want to be a part of it. So I
just it's loud. It's really loud.
Speaker 1 (31:59):
Friday, I can't wait off the charts. I can't wait. Yeah,
I say that a lot of Chicago's Sky Games, and
I think just women's sports in general, there's a little
less of the too cool for school. It's like if
they're asking us to participate, whether it's a baby shark
on the big screen, flexing your muscles. Sometimes at the
Sky Games, the MC asks us all to get up
and do stretches, and we do it. You know, it's
(32:21):
not like the same vibe as some other games. Everyone's
really all in and that's such a great feeling when
you're starting something new and trying, like you said, to
create these organic moments that they'll happen in part because
the fans are hungry for them. Okay, last two questions quickly.
Will the Warriors playoffs affect anything or is this all
decided in advance, where all the games and schedules and
everything you're trying to do there are completely not going
(32:43):
to be affected by their schedule. Good question.
Speaker 4 (32:46):
We look at that beforehand and we schedule everything to
the best of our abilities. That said, every arena, no
matter what the sports are, have to face this at
any given moment. There's so many different scenarios that could happen.
Game series five game series, six game series, seven game series.
But what a great opportunity right for as you're starting
(33:07):
to see the growth of obviously women's basketball, there's more
games coming into the picture. I don't think that's going
to slow down as all of us continue to think
about that, right and if you're fortunate enough to have
a team like the Warriors, who are in the postseason
pretty consistently, you know, our hope is that we run
into a lot of different scenarios where you do have
de Valogerries and postseason in the beginning of Warriors season,
and you do have the Warriors and postseason in the
(33:27):
beginning of Valgrie season. So right now we have not
had any issues, and we'll always do our best to
make that happen. But if and when there are conflicts,
we're always just going to do our best to work
through them. Truly, every arena that exists, regardless of events
that are happening, you have to navigate this right, whether
it's you're a shared hockey and concert or right like
those things do happen. There's contingency dates for a reason.
(33:51):
So I can tell you this ownership group takes great
pride in owning two basketball teams. We have ten thousand
season ticket holders for both basketball teams. We're always going
to do the best thing, the best we can for
both of these teams to be able to have the
best home court advantage no matter what the game is,
and then of course, you know, take care of everybody
as best as we can when those moments do occur.
Speaker 1 (34:13):
It is cool though, because the city is excited about
a playoff team as you're getting started, so that the
vibes are there. Okay, last one, I need a big dream.
This is a halftime performer, a fan that you'd like
to see sitting courtside. What's the big dream for season
one at some point during the season that you're almost
like scared to admit that you have.
Speaker 4 (34:33):
Oh, I mean, I think there's some big dreams that
I feel like might happen on Friday. So I can't say,
but I mean there's some fairly decent Bay Area celebrities
that are very interested in being at Valgriee games, whether
Friday or otherwise, that I'm excited to see show out
at me. Valgrae Violet looks good on everybody. But I
(34:56):
will also say, as a fan of hip hop, has
got me through many parts of my life, and I've
been a part of the bay for twenty plus years.
Just that whole part of our culture here, you know,
and the e forties and the two shorts, and the
Kailanis and the sweeties of the world. You know the
fact that you know we want them to rock with
us as well, So you know that that part of
(35:17):
Bay Area is something that's so unique to us, just
being a part of who we are, and I think
buying into to being the bas team is a big
deal for us.
Speaker 1 (35:25):
Oh, you got me so excited for Friday. I can't wait, Jess.
I know you're so busy. Thanks for making some time.
We are so excited to see the Balks actually start
playing basketball. There's been such a long runway and you
seem like you're nailing it. So congratulations on the great
start in the preseason and we look forward to Friday.
Speaker 4 (35:41):
Thanks for all that you do, the conversations you continue
to have. I love good game that consider myself a
proud slice. Yeah. Continue to share you on and can't
wait to have you on Friday.
Speaker 1 (35:51):
Awesome. Thanks so much to Jess for joining us. It's
always such a joy speaking to her. We love that
you're listening, but we want you to get in the
game every day too, So here's our good game play
of the day. Tune into all the basketball. Link to
the WNBA season schedule is in our show notes. And
I'm telling you tonight's going to be a blast. Grab
(36:13):
your favorite player's jersey, your favorite game, watch, and snacks
and drinks and your favorite people and enjoy the action.
And it's not too late to send us your hottest takes,
spiciest stances, and all your stat driven analysis ahead of
the season, So send them on in to us. We
love to hear from you. Good game at wondermedianetwork dot
com or leave us a voicemail at eight seven two
two four fifty seventy and don't forget to subscribe a
(36:35):
rate and review slices. Give us five stars, tell us
you love us. It's easy watch athlon sports and other
websites that are basically run by AI bots. Rating zero
out of zero stars, you suck and you're really mucking
up the digital sports landscape and confusing fans. Review. Did
the LA Sparks really refund all their season ticket holders
(36:58):
this week? Did Sophie cunning I have really publicly challenged
coach Stephanie White about her injury. Did Paige Becker's teammate
really have her contracts suspended one day before the new season?
Short answers no, yes, but it was a joke, and yes,
but that Becker's teammate was Luisa Geiselsoder, who hasn't played
a single minute in the WNBA since being drafted in
(37:19):
twenty twenty. Those are all headlines from Athlon Sports, a
site that somehow gets enough search engine optimization to pop
up in the top results of searches, even though their
headlines are misleading, their articles are devoid of any context
or nuance, and their authors are most likely robots. Why
Yahoo Sports decided to integrate athlon sports stories into their
(37:40):
site is beyond me joining the likes of sports Keda
and other AI driven sites. Athlon is just confusing folks
who don't have enough context or digital literacy to figure
out the truth from the bs. So a note to slices,
be careful where you're reading things and be careful what
you're sharing enough search and look for corroborating accounts from
(38:02):
legit sources before sharing stories or spreading rumors. These athletes
deserve that from us now it's your turn. Rate and review.
Thanks for listening, enjoy the games at see you next week.
Good Game, Golden State, Good Game, Jess, fuck you. Roster cuts,
especially those final cuts. It hurts. It hurts, real bad.
(38:27):
Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports
production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You
could find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or
wherever you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network,
our producers are Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our executive
producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan, and Emily Rudder.
(38:47):
Our editors are Emily Rutterer, Brittany Martinez, Grace Lynch, and
Gianna Palmer. Our associate producer is Lucy Jones and I'm
Your host Sarah Spain
Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're riding
the cable car, eating the super burrito and sipping a
big Bold Cab. We're in the Bay Area to catch
the very first Golden State Valkyrie game. It's Friday, May sixteenth,
Happy Friday Slices. On today's show, we'll be finishing up
the shoot around our team by team WNBA season previews
with the newest franchise in the league, the Golden State Valkyries.
(00:22):
We'll bring you my conversation from earlier this week with
Valkyrie's president Jess Smith, who told us how she's feeling
ahead of the team's first ever regular season game tonight,
the culture she's striving to create around the franchise, and
how she's working to build lasting connections with fans. Plus
Paigebeckers get some hometown love, the NWSL Players Association speaks out,
and one half of the PWHL Finals is set. It's
(00:45):
all coming up right after this Welcome Back Slices. Here's
what you need to know today in hoops. The WNBA
(01:06):
season starts tonight. Can you believe it? We're stoked over here.
There are three games on the schedule, including one we
mentioned before the break the Golden State Valkyrie's first official
regular season game against the Los Angeles Sparks. That one
will tip off at ten pm Eastern inside Chase Center,
and it'll be available to watch live on Ion and
(01:26):
with the WNBA League Pass subscription. I cannot wait to
see the show the Valks put on for their first
set of fans. I get the feeling it's going to
be an insane atmosphere. Elsewhere, It's officially Page Becker's Day.
In Hopkins, Minnesota. The Dallas Wings number one overall draft
pick played her high school ball at Hopkins High, in
a city where council members moved to celebrate her WNBA
(01:48):
debut tonight by renaming the city Page Beckers, Minnesota for
the day. They also declared that May sixteenth will henceforth
be known as Pagebackers Day. I love it when they
use fancy words like hens. Fourth entrance signs to the
city now show its new name, and street signs along
Main Street and Hopkins also read Becker's Boulevard. Talk about
(02:09):
showing some love to a hometown hero. So good. Becker's
w career officially begins tonight when her Wings take on
the Minnesota Links at seven thirty pm Eastern down in Arlington, Texas.
Just five days from now, on the twenty first, Dallas
will travel to Minnesota to play at Target Center, and
we get the feeling that one's going to be packed
full of Hopkinsians? Is that a thing? The last opening
(02:32):
night game tonight is producer Miches Washington Mystics versus The
Atlanta Dream in DC. Our first look at Britney Grinder
in a dream jersey. She left for Atlanta this offseason
after playing her first eleven seasons in Phoenix. That's a
seven thirty pm Eastern tip off at care First Arena.
We'll throw the full schedule for this weekend's games in
our show notes so you can plan accordingly. Also, the
(02:54):
start of the w season means the end of the
road for players who didn't make final cuts. You can
find each team's official roster on WNBA dot com. Just
toggle to the team's tab at the top of your
screen and navigate to the roster so you can see
who will and won't be suiting up to start the season.
Included in that last round of cuts fan favorite Caitlin
(03:14):
Chen out of Yukon, who was waved by the Valkyries
ahead of tonight's season opener. More on that and the
final Valx roster later in the show. Also cut before
game one of the season, Diamond to Shields, a former
All Star in twenty nineteen and former champ with the
Chicago Sky in twenty twenty one, after being waved by
the Connecticut Sun, she posted this video reminding us that
(03:35):
all these cuts don't just cause heartbreak in terms of
wanting to play ball, but also frustration figuring out the
logistics of what's next and where to go. Here's de Shields.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Getting waved is crazy because, like, what do you do
after you get waved? I got all my stuff up
here that I drove in a rental car from Atlanta,
and now I have to drive all my stuff back
(04:09):
to Atlanta. But I can't see no finer rental car
because none are available anywhere. So I need to figure
out how I'm gonna get my stuff back to Atlanta.
(04:30):
The team will ship three to five boxes, but I
have more than.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Three to five boxes worth of stuff. Of course. The
other side of the coin is the joy when a
rookie does make the squad, like South Carolina Sinaia Fagan,
the Sparks filmed the moment that she found out she
made the team. Talking to Sparks, GM Reagan, Peebley take
a lessen. It's really hard for second round picks, you know,
(04:57):
third round picks to make this team.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
You know you made it. I was in the carry,
I said.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Brady text me in too, I was in.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
The car cry.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
They also caught her FaceTime with former college coach Don Staley, too.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
What amazing see thanks.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
I knew you make.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
She did so good.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
She did so good. We told her Coach Staley, she
made this scene because she had great practice habits.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
We love to see that joy. It does make up
a little bit for the sadness of the cuts. And remember,
during the season, w NBA teams will have to contend
with players, national team commitments, potential injuries, and more, which
could result in your faves getting picked up on contracts.
You just never know more WNBA news. On Thursday, the
w announced the launch of No Space for Hate, a
(05:54):
league wide platform focused on promoting respect across the w NBA.
Per the league's Instagram post, quote from enhanced social media
and arena security to increased mental health support, We're taking
action to create a safer, more unified space for all
because in the W respect is non negotiable end quote.
You might remember. About a month ago, W Commissioner Kathy
(06:15):
Engelbert announced that the league had assembled a dedicated task
force for combating hate and vitriol directed toward players and teams.
This came after multiple players complained last year of an
uptick in racist, homophobic, and misogynist comments directed at them
on social media, also incidents of harassment, including Branda Stewart's
wife receiving threatening emails to hockey. The reigning Walter Cup
(06:37):
champion Minnesota Frost are headed back to the PWHL Finals.
The team secured a three games to one series victory
with a four to three win over the Toronto Scepters
in overtime on Wednesday night. Two Friends of the Show
came up big, with Kelly Panic scoring once and Kendall
Coin Schofield put in two in the back of the net.
Taylor Heizi scored the overtime winner for the Frost at
(06:57):
the sixteen minute mark of the extra period. It was
a valiant effort from the Scepters, but they couldn't pull
off the win. And now they've seen their season end
at the hands of the Frost for two straight years
in the semi finals, two out of two seasons getting
iced out of the finals by the Frost. That is
the makings of a true blue rivalry in this very
young league. Friends, The other series between the Ottawa Charge
(07:19):
in Montreal Victoire could conclude tonight. If Ottawa gets the win,
they lead the series two games to one and host
Montreal tonight at seven pm Eastern for Game four. The Victoire,
this year's number one seed, of course, hoping to grab
a w and force a Game five. You can catch
that contest alive on the PWHL's YouTube channel and we'll
link to it in our show notes. Moving on to soccer,
(07:41):
the NWSL Players Association made a post on Instagram on
Wednesday calling for protocol changes after Savvy King's on field
medical emergency last Friday. A refresher on this story. Twenty
year old ACFC defender Savvy King collapsed on the field
in the seventy fourth minute of her team's game against
the Utah Royals Friday. Medical staff tended to or for
ten minutes doing CPR and chess compressions before she was
(08:03):
ultimately taken off the field on a cart. Doctors have
since discovered that King had a heart abnormality, and she's
undergone successful surgery. The NWSLPA is the loudest group giving
the league heat for not suspending the game after the
scary situation. In an Instagram post, the NWSLPA stated, in
part quote, the match should not have continued. Our members
(08:24):
are elite, world class competitors who have proven they can
perform under unimaginable conditions. That doesn't mean they should have to.
While the medical response demonstrated the highest level of competence
and care, the decision to continue play demonstrated how player
safety is weighed and operationalized in real time. Incidents of
this severity must prioritize our collective humanity and should automatically
(08:46):
trigger suspension of the match. The Players Association is committed
to making this the standard. In NWSL end quote, we'll
link to the full statement in our show notes and
keep you updated as the situation unfolds. More. NWSL Racing
Louisville has made Caitlin Milby it's new general manager after
she spent the last six months filling in in an
interim capacity. In November twenty twenty four, Milby stepped in
(09:07):
after former GM Ryan Dell left to pursue another job
in the soccer industry. She's seen Racing through its best
start in team history this season three, three and two.
The twenty eight year old former D one footy player
has an extensive history with the club. She interned with
Racing's parent company, Soccer Holding's LLC in twenty seventeen, and
then began work as Louisville's director of operations in twenty
twenty two. Her new role is guaranteed through the twenty
(09:29):
twenty sixth season, with an option for twenty twenty seven.
There are four NWSL games on Tap tonight, including the
league leading Kansas City Current visiting the number two Orlando
Pride at eight pm Eastern on Prime Video. Kansas City's
Debinia and tem Wusheweinga and the Pride's Barbara Banda are
all hot on the heels of Golden Boot leader Esterere
Gonzalaz of Gotham FC. Gonzalez is put in seven goals
(09:51):
on the air, while Debinia sits at five and Showeinga
and Banda at four. We'll link to the full weekend
schedule in our show notes. Slices. Can you believe we
made it to our last WNBA team preview? That means
just one thing, actual games tonight. Maybe a sky fan yell,
But I got so many side pieces I might actually need,
(10:13):
like a custom jersey with a little piece of each
of the thirteen WNBA team jerseys on it. You know, Gosh,
women's sports truly makes me into that person that says,
I hope both teams have fun, and I'm not mad
about it. I'm excited to watch everyone. We got to
take a quick break. When we come back, We've got
things to say about the new team in the Bay.
(10:42):
Welcome back, slices. Before we get to the w's first
expansion team since two thousand and eight, let's take a
quick trip down memory lane to get fully caught up
on league history and all the expansions and contractions we've
witnessed over the last twenty nine years. When the WNBA
played its first season back in nineteen ninety seven, there
were eight teams, and in the seasons that followed, the
(11:02):
league quickly expanded to ten teams in nineteen ninety eight,
twelve teams in nineteen ninety nine, and sixteen teams. Yeah,
sixteen in two thousand, but beginning in two thousand and two,
the league started shrinking, so even as new expansion teams
entered the league, others closed up shop, like the four
time WNBA champion at Houston Comments. Since two thousand and nine,
(11:24):
when the Sacramento Monarchs franchise folded, the league has been
stuck at twelve teams. So while Valkyrie's history officially starts tonight,
just know that this isn't the most teams the league
has ever had, and this isn't the first time Northern
California has had a WNBA team. During their ten seasons
in the WNBA, the Monarchs made the playoffs nine times,
(11:45):
winning the championship in two thousand and five. All right,
let's get back to the present and the Golden State Valkyries.
We'll run you through the very short Valkyrie history that
you need to know. The Bay was awarded a team
back in October of twenty twenty three and have been
working towards tonight itights regular season opener ever since. The
squad will play its home games at Chase Center in
San Francisco, also home to the mnba's Golden State Warriors,
(12:08):
and it's headquartered at the Warriors' former practice facility remade
and rebranded as Valkyrie's Performance Center, a thirty one tho
eight hundred square foot training and development space complete with
two full sized courts, a locker room, weight room, training room,
hot and cold pools, and a dedicated player lounge, plus
a variety of world class amenities. The Valkyries are led
(12:29):
by head coach Natalie Nicasse, her first season in charge
of a w team after sixteen seasons of pro coaching,
including the last three years as first assistant coach with
the Las Vegas Aces. Nicasse brings her two titles from
Vegas with her to the Bay and is the first
Asian American head coach in the WNBA. The team is
owned by Joe lacub, also the majority owner of the
Warriors since twenty ten. This team's twenty twenty five tagline
(12:52):
welcome to the w Let's talk additions and losses. Now
obviously no losses for this team because they didn't exist
last season. All of their additions were made via the
Expansion Draft, free agency, and the WNBA Draft last month.
Their first moves in the Expansion Draft were to grab
unprotected players from other teams, most notably Kate Martin from
the Las Vegas Aces, Temmy fag Bentley from the Indiana Fever,
(13:16):
Stephanie Talbot from the La Sparks, Kayla Thornton from the
New York Liberty, and Cecilia zander Lessini from the Minnesota Lynx.
In free agency, they added Tiffany aka tip Hayes, last
year's sixth Woman of the Year, out of the Las
Vegas Aces. They also made three draft picks, Lithuanian player
Usta Uchita selected at number five, Maryland's Cheyenne Sellers at seventeen,
(13:38):
and Caitlyn Chen out of Yukon at thirty. None of
them are on this year's roster. Sellers and Chen have
both been waived, and nineteen year old Yuchita announced she
would focus on playing with her Lithuanian national team in
the EuroBasket tournament this June. She plans to join the
Valks next season. Now Worth noting that Uchite is one
of seven European players on the Valks. The other sixth
(14:00):
are also expected to represent their countries in EuroBasket, meaning
the team could be without their services for about two
weeks mid season. Golden State also waived third year hopeful
Latsia Amihir ahead of tonight's opener, despite her scoring twenty
points in nineteen minutes in the team's first preseason game
against the La Sparks. As for stars, the Valks hope
(14:20):
this season makes a few stars out of their players
because right now the team has the fewest marquee names
in the league. Tiffany Hayes is the centerpiece, coming off
a sixth Woman of the Year season with the Aces
in twenty twenty four. A twelve year vet entering this
season with her fourth team after stops in Atlanta, Connecticut,
and Vegas, She's undoubtedly got the most experience on the roster.
(14:41):
Then there's Kayla Thornton, fresh off a WNBA championship with
the New York Liberty. She was a key bench player
for that team, but will be tasked with bringing her
defensive tenacity and mid range prowess to a starting role
with the Bay and fan favorite Kate Martin. Drafted out
of Iowa last season by the Aces. She only played
about eleven minutes a game last season, but was beloved
by teammates and fans in Sin City. She'll be a
(15:03):
big part of selling this Valkyrie squad. She's even got
a fan club, the Martinis. There are a couple other
potential stars on this roster two who could have breakout
seasons for head coach Natalie Nicasse. Monique Billings, Temmi Fag Benley,
and Julie vanlu are just a few of those names,
but worth noting none of them have averaged more than
seven and a half points per game over their careers.
(15:23):
The stakes for this squad when it comes to wins
and losses pretty low. Expansion teams are historically unsuccessful in
their first season. Only one of the ten WNBA expansion
franchises has finished over five hundred in its first campaign,
the nineteen ninety eight Detroit Shock and per her hoopstats,
the ten previous WNBA expansion teams have a combined ninety
(15:44):
nine and two hundred and twenty one record in their
inaugural seasons. But expectations are high for the standard that
Golden State is going to set with their facilities, marketing, sponsorships,
and all things business. They've got a support of ownership
group and a fan base that's already setting records and
season ticket sales, becoming the first WNBA team to sell
(16:05):
ten thousand season tickets If They can also sell free
agents on the Bay Area being the place to play.
They can start to add those bigger names to the
roster and work toward becoming contenders. As for stats, since
this is the first season, not much to discuss here,
one thing does stand out. Though no player on the
Valkyrie's roster has a career scoring average in double digits,
(16:26):
the team already does have a few stories and lore
thanks to a headstart they got from some great branding.
The Valkyrie's name is sort of like the female version
of a warrior. It refers to female figures of Norse
mythology who guide the dead to the god Odin's majestic hall, Valhalla,
which is why they call their home arena cleverly ball Halla.
(16:47):
The team described the name and accompanying mythology in a
press release, writing quote, Valkyries are a host of warrior
women who are fearless and unwavering, flying through air and
sea alike. This brand is Golden State's modern interpretation of Vale, strong, bold,
and fierce end quote. The team's colors are Valkyrie, violet, gold,
and black, which just happened to be the colors of
(17:09):
Bay Area natives Sabrini and Escu's Sabrina to court vision
shoes an investor in the nwsls bafc Yanescu's contract with
the Liberty, like so many other players in the w
is up after this season, So there's some juicy lore
for Valks fans. Could sab be looking to make a
return to her native California next season? Maybe matro Jersey
(17:31):
to her shoes. Only time will tell fun fact about
the Valkyrise. During the squad's preseason games, we got to
look at their appropriately named in game loudness gauge called
the Battle Crimemeter, and if President Jess Smith is to
be believed, that thing is going to be hitting its
peak at tonight's home opener. You'll hear from Smith later
in the show. All right, Mesh, I know we have
(17:52):
no history of this team and nothing has happened yet,
but what did I miss?
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Well, Sarah, it makes it pretty hard to tell you
what you miss We literally haven't missed anything.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
We've seen it all.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
We've been here since the team got the bit in
twenty twenty three. Like there's just ah, I don't know,
but what excites me about this squad is Natalie Nicasse
has a very clear vision of what she wants this
team to be, right, I think she's made it very apparent.
She said it herself during the expansion draft that this
team is going to have a defensive identity, which to
(18:24):
me is really a smart play. As we know, and
as you mentioned, historically expansion franchises have not been super successful,
and a lot of that has to do with offense.
But one thing that can neutralize is defense. When you
play strong defense and the other team can't score, you
put yourself in better positions. So I think that's a
great place to start, a great foundation in a building block,
(18:44):
and we've talked about this. I'm also really excited about
all these international players. I think, you know, is there
a potential that we see a different style, something that
is entirely singular compared to the rest of the WNBA.
It's possible because the European the overseas game is it's
just very different than the w.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Yeah, as I mentioned, six European players on this team,
it will be seven when you Cheata joins next year.
And we hear a lot from players after Olympics or
Foeba or other international play about the physicality about the
style over there. So if they're all coming over here
playing that style from a young age professionally, it just
(19:23):
will be interesting. I think I completely agree with you.
We could see a team that decides to be stylistically
so different from the rest of the league that it
just puts other teams on their heels. I'm also you know,
we've had Jess Smith on the show a couple times.
I am quite clearly a huge fan of hers and
a huge fan of what the Valks are already doing
as a team. When it comes to the business side,
I would join an army and run through a wall
(19:45):
for that woman. I think she is so freaking smart
that I'm just excited to see all the different ways
that they do things in the league the way that
she did at Angel City to change the NWSL. Frankly,
the Valks could operate in a way that inspires a
lot of other teams to do their way too, and
opens up some new doors for how the w does business.
So I'm excited for that as much as I am
(20:05):
for the product on the floor.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
And the last thing I'm gonna say, Sarah, if Kailani
would just like to be the standing halftime entertainment for
the entire WNBA season.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
I would be okay with that, like she that's I
love me, Kaylani.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
But it's not just them, it's too short, it's e forty,
it's all of these folks that just are deeply ingrained
in the culture in the Bay in Oakland. And I
just love the fact that that juice is now getting
infused into the WNBA.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
I'm pretty pumped for that too. We have to take
another break when we come back. My chat from earlier
this week with Golden State Valkyrie's president Jess Smith, you
won't want to miss it joining us again on the show.
(20:55):
A very busy woman, she's the president of WNBA expansion team,
the Golden State Valcye. He's formerly head of revenue and
head of Corporate Partnerships for Angel CITYFC of the NWSL.
She also spent five years working in men's Major League Soccer,
six years with the Oakland A's a twenty twenty three
sports business journal forty under forty on aren a member
of the twenty twenty three Leaders in Sport under forty class.
We went wine tasted together in Australia and tried to
(21:15):
steal Sabrina and Escu's reserve table at an All Star
weekend party last year. It's friend of the show Jess Smith. Hi, Jess, Hi,
how are you? Jess? I'm so excited to talk to
you right now. We're talking on Monday, but our listeners
are going to hear this Friday, just ahead of the
valkyries first ever regular season games. So I want to
know what's the emotion today and what do you expect
(21:36):
to feel on Friday.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
The emotion today is like an optimistic pressure. You know,
everyone has been building and by everyone, I just mean
the fans, the owners, are staff, you know, relentlessly over
the last eighteen months plus for what Friday will feel like.
And we got a glimpse of it at our home game,
our preseason game last week, which was incredibly special. I
(21:58):
was sitting next to a few sti A members that
had not you know, didn't really know what to expect,
and they just kept leaning over seeing it's so loud
and it was pre season, right, So to think through
what opening Night is going to feel like. We all
know how emotional that will be because we know why
our fans have shown up from day one. We know
what this moment means for us. But to know what
(22:20):
it will mean for our athletes, you know, for both teams.
Very candidly, I think is what makes it most special.
So there's a pressure right now just making sure that
every detail has been thought through to the best of
our ability, to make sure that every partner that is
invested in us and fan that has shown up for
their time and energy and money, you know that it's
everything that they've wished it it would be. So on Friday,
(22:41):
you know, I have the interesting perspective having launched a
team once and I know a little bit of what
this will feel like. So I almost feel like I'm
the captain now of like I'm like walking through the office,
kind of like sharing with people, of like I know,
this is what it feels like today, and this is
what it will feel like Friday, And what it will
feel like is NonStop energy. You won't really be able
(23:03):
to take it in. And then there will be a
moment that each and every person on our team has
that they'll stop for a second and really be able
to take in. And that will feel different for every
single person depending on what they do. So I'll probably
be pretty emotional on Friday just looking around at something
that didn't exist and knowing all the small meetings that
went into it, in every you know, hard moment that
(23:23):
we had to work through to get to where we
are today, and to know that for the rest of time,
that this franchise you know, is here, you know, and
for the Bay Area and beyond that developeries will exist,
and that young girls and boys will be able to
look at these incredible athletes and know that this is
a representation of women's basketball.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
I love that. I always feel cheesy saying this, but
it always reminds me of The Office episode where Jim
and Pam get married and someone gives them the advice
to take a mental picture, to just like stop during
the wedding at different points and look around and take
a little snapshot. It feels like it's going to be
necessary on Friday because it will be a checklist of
a million things get done and make sure it goes smoothly,
but you will want to have that moment of like
(24:04):
just taking a deep breath and looking around at the
thing that you did. I also love that you have
done this before with Angel City, because there is so
much opportunity with a new franchise, but also the decisions
that you make carry a ton of weight. There's not
a lot else to balance. There isn't nostalgia and legacy
and wins and all these other things that fans can
get excited about if you have a misstep or if
(24:24):
you do something they're not really enjoying. You got to
make everything count. So there's the positivity of having this
opportunity to do things the first time. And there's also
really making sure you don't overthink, you don't suffer from
analysis paralysis. You aren't overdoing it to the point that
it becomes too like fraud. So how are you making
(24:44):
sure you take advantage without getting stuck.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
Every time we get too far down that rabbit hole
where we are just looking at too much data to
be totally honest, I come back up and just remember
how we got here in the first place. And that's
honestly listening to our fans. When we went through building
our brand, right, what should the team name be? How
should we define ourselves? We zoomed back out, sat back
(25:09):
and looked at the survey results, and our fans asked
to be named the Valkyries, right, And we didn't want
to overthink that moment. We're like, this is what the
community is asking us. For if they want us to
be bold, if they want us to show up this way,
let's do that. And I think every time we are
in the details that way, we kind of take a
step back and just think of ourselves in their seats.
And I think that's a really great perspective that has
(25:31):
really become part of our culture. And knowing that to
your point that you made, there's nobody that we're replicating,
and that's really beautiful and really difficult at the same time.
Right there's nobody to be like, Hey, how do you
think we should do this? What was this like when
you were when you were building you know, the first
WNBA expansion team since two thousand and eight, you know,
and you know, to be able to execute this way,
(25:53):
we have to make sure we're staying true to the
Bay the bayse culture, you know. On Tuesday, I walked around,
I talked to a lot of our different things and
just said like, what does it feel like being here?
Speaker 1 (26:02):
What do you think?
Speaker 4 (26:03):
And the biggest compliment I heard multiple times was this
feels so Bay Area and that's what we wanted it
to feel. You know, the music, the feeling and the building,
you know, the joy. You know that came through. I
hope that that's what people feel when they're here on Friday,
and it's contagious and if you're not here, that you
(26:23):
know what that feels like, even when you're watching on
television or even when you see something on social media,
or even when you're watching our players talk about what
it's like. So that's that's been something that's really aided us,
is to not get to we want to know the data,
we want to know the details. Were nerds that way,
and we love that and take pride in it. And
yet we also all are emotionally connected, just like our
(26:44):
fans are, and we can't forget to just focus on
what this will feel like and build around that.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Yeah, it almost reminds me of that sweet spot when
you're looking I've heard baseball execs talk about this. Of course,
you look at the saber metrics, and then you also
ask your gut, because if you get too deep in
the numbers and you lose sense of the sort of
human connection, you can make some weird decisions that felt
right on paper, and then everybody at home is like,
what that's weird? You know, one of the great things.
(27:11):
And I heard you talk about this at a conference.
Was this Chase sponsorship with the Letterman's Jackets. This is
such a smart way to work with a sponsor and
create a real thing of value for those who are
on board since day one. Can you tell us about this?
Speaker 4 (27:25):
I can. So, as we sat down with Chase and
we thought through you know, we were talking about them
being represented on our jersey, which you know for us,
the partners that we're going to be in our jersey,
We're like, listen, if you're going to be in our jersey,
we want this to really mean something to our fans. Right.
The jersey already means something when you put it on
first team based culture, players wear it, but how do
(27:46):
we deepen that? You know, and Chase is a great
thought partner this way. You know, they are really storied
in the different marketing work that they do. And as
we talked through why people show up for women's sports
in the first place, right, that deep connection, that wanting
to support something that they believe builds the better tomorrow,
but wanting us and challenging us, you know, from the
data that we had from them to build a really
(28:07):
great fan experience. You know, Chase was like, how do
we lean into that, how do we compliment that, right,
how do we create legacy in that, especially this year,
in something that they can feel pride in on game
day and after game day. And so what they did
was our fans that purchased their season tickets with the
Chase card, they dedicated this really beautiful as you saw
firsthand when we were at the Deep Blue Sports Conference.
(28:30):
It's a great jacket and so it's our we call
our inaugural season ticket holder based the founding Guard as
you would for the val Thries, right. They're here to
protect us and to cheer on our players, and you
know they'll have an opportunity to be wearing that as
they cheer them, you know, both inside Chase Center and elsewhere.
But it's a beautiful gift and something that you know
they were going to buy their season tickets and excited
(28:51):
to be here, and then that was just an add
on and I think something that Chase did really well
of enhancing that opportunity for them to look at with
pride and and brings both of our brands out into
the world even beyond game day.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
Yeah, it's so smart because fans wanna not just be
great supportive fans, but for everyone to know it. We
all know that you always want those proprietary things that
you can only get, and so everyone wearing that jacket
in the stadium on Friday night, everyone will know, oh wow,
they're an OG first season season ticket holder. And it's
just it's a super rad way to connect all those
(29:26):
people too. It's sort of like people who drive jeep
wranglers are supposed to like wave at each other or
something when they drive by. They have like a little
hand signal of let me see you. Yeah, it's like
a wrangler thing. A lot of people where I grew
up had wranglers in high school. And yeah, you're supposed
to like do a little hand signal for each other.
So those Letterman's jacket folks will be walking around giving
each other a little high five that they were part
(29:47):
of that initial founding guard. You know, you mentioned at
that same conference that you believe the Valkyries will have
an insane home court advantage. Why why is it going
to be better than other places? Why is it already
going to be lit even though oh you haven't played
a single game yet that was regular season.
Speaker 4 (30:03):
I mean, that's our that's our job, you know, Ohemma,
our general manager and coach Alie Lacasse had me come
down and our business team and chat with the players,
you know, and just welcome them to the team. And
we said, that's our job. Our job is to create
the best home court advantage for you. And when you
meet our fans, when you see the passion, and you know,
the Bay Area is basketball culture through and through too,
(30:25):
and they've been waiting for this moment, you know, and
that glimpse of preseason. But the other thing that happened
at preseason that I can't wait to continue on Friday
is our fans are so hungry and already creating their
rituals on their own. So at one point our MCRI
she was, you know, v's for Valkyries, and all of
a sudden, the whole crowd was just like throwing up
(30:46):
peace signs, but like V for Valkyries, and We're like, Okay,
that's ours now. I guess we're going to claim that, right.
And I was at a women's sports business event honoring
Ohemma as one of the most inspirational leaders here in
the San Francisco b Area through the San Francisco Business Times,
and she went on stage two days later after a
preseason game, a bunch of women in the crowd are
throwing up the Valkyries insane right in two days time,
(31:07):
and those small moments of everything that our in game
presentation wanted to do, everyone bought in. And you know
what that's like, right, It's when someone's performing, whether it's music, sports, entertainment,
when the crowd, it's the crowd, right, and they are
really the ones. The fans are always the ones that
will dictate that.
Speaker 1 (31:26):
And I've known, you.
Speaker 4 (31:27):
Know, whether I'm talking to somebody one off, or I'm
at an event painting a mural beside our players, you know,
and kinds of permanente in downtown Oakland, it's just a
different vibe, you know, and it's it's something that you know,
we're talking obviously most people are listening to this conversation,
but you can tell them like I'm smiling when I
say it, because it's almost just like when you're a
part of it. It's just so fun but also intense
(31:51):
in a good way, so you can't help, but you
know want to be a part of it. So I
just it's loud. It's really loud.
Speaker 1 (31:59):
Friday, I can't wait off the charts. I can't wait. Yeah,
I say that a lot of Chicago's Sky Games, and
I think just women's sports in general, there's a little
less of the too cool for school. It's like if
they're asking us to participate, whether it's a baby shark
on the big screen, flexing your muscles. Sometimes at the
Sky Games, the MC asks us all to get up
and do stretches, and we do it. You know, it's
(32:21):
not like the same vibe as some other games. Everyone's
really all in and that's such a great feeling when
you're starting something new and trying, like you said, to
create these organic moments that they'll happen in part because
the fans are hungry for them. Okay, last two questions quickly.
Will the Warriors playoffs affect anything or is this all
decided in advance, where all the games and schedules and
everything you're trying to do there are completely not going
(32:43):
to be affected by their schedule. Good question.
Speaker 4 (32:46):
We look at that beforehand and we schedule everything to
the best of our abilities. That said, every arena, no
matter what the sports are, have to face this at
any given moment. There's so many different scenarios that could happen.
Game series five game series, six game series, seven game series.
But what a great opportunity right for as you're starting
(33:07):
to see the growth of obviously women's basketball, there's more
games coming into the picture. I don't think that's going
to slow down as all of us continue to think
about that, right and if you're fortunate enough to have
a team like the Warriors, who are in the postseason
pretty consistently, you know, our hope is that we run
into a lot of different scenarios where you do have
de Valogerries and postseason in the beginning of Warriors season,
and you do have the Warriors and postseason in the
(33:27):
beginning of Valgrie season. So right now we have not
had any issues, and we'll always do our best to
make that happen. But if and when there are conflicts,
we're always just going to do our best to work
through them. Truly, every arena that exists, regardless of events
that are happening, you have to navigate this right, whether
it's you're a shared hockey and concert or right like
those things do happen. There's contingency dates for a reason.
(33:51):
So I can tell you this ownership group takes great
pride in owning two basketball teams. We have ten thousand
season ticket holders for both basketball teams. We're always going
to do the best thing, the best we can for
both of these teams to be able to have the
best home court advantage no matter what the game is,
and then of course, you know, take care of everybody
as best as we can when those moments do occur.
Speaker 1 (34:13):
It is cool though, because the city is excited about
a playoff team as you're getting started, so that the
vibes are there. Okay, last one, I need a big dream.
This is a halftime performer, a fan that you'd like
to see sitting courtside. What's the big dream for season
one at some point during the season that you're almost
like scared to admit that you have.
Speaker 4 (34:33):
Oh, I mean, I think there's some big dreams that
I feel like might happen on Friday. So I can't say,
but I mean there's some fairly decent Bay Area celebrities
that are very interested in being at Valgriee games, whether
Friday or otherwise, that I'm excited to see show out
at me. Valgrae Violet looks good on everybody. But I
(34:56):
will also say, as a fan of hip hop, has
got me through many parts of my life, and I've
been a part of the bay for twenty plus years.
Just that whole part of our culture here, you know,
and the e forties and the two shorts, and the
Kailanis and the sweeties of the world. You know the
fact that you know we want them to rock with
us as well, So you know that that part of
(35:17):
Bay Area is something that's so unique to us, just
being a part of who we are, and I think
buying into to being the bas team is a big
deal for us.
Speaker 1 (35:25):
Oh, you got me so excited for Friday. I can't wait, Jess.
I know you're so busy. Thanks for making some time.
We are so excited to see the Balks actually start
playing basketball. There's been such a long runway and you
seem like you're nailing it. So congratulations on the great
start in the preseason and we look forward to Friday.
Speaker 4 (35:41):
Thanks for all that you do, the conversations you continue
to have. I love good game that consider myself a
proud slice. Yeah. Continue to share you on and can't
wait to have you on Friday.
Speaker 1 (35:51):
Awesome. Thanks so much to Jess for joining us. It's
always such a joy speaking to her. We love that
you're listening, but we want you to get in the
game every day too, So here's our good game play
of the day. Tune into all the basketball. Link to
the WNBA season schedule is in our show notes. And
I'm telling you tonight's going to be a blast. Grab
(36:13):
your favorite player's jersey, your favorite game, watch, and snacks
and drinks and your favorite people and enjoy the action.
And it's not too late to send us your hottest takes,
spiciest stances, and all your stat driven analysis ahead of
the season, So send them on in to us. We
love to hear from you. Good game at wondermedianetwork dot
com or leave us a voicemail at eight seven two
two four fifty seventy and don't forget to subscribe a
(36:35):
rate and review slices. Give us five stars, tell us
you love us. It's easy watch athlon sports and other
websites that are basically run by AI bots. Rating zero
out of zero stars, you suck and you're really mucking
up the digital sports landscape and confusing fans. Review. Did
the LA Sparks really refund all their season ticket holders
(36:58):
this week? Did Sophie cunning I have really publicly challenged
coach Stephanie White about her injury. Did Paige Becker's teammate
really have her contracts suspended one day before the new season?
Short answers no, yes, but it was a joke, and yes,
but that Becker's teammate was Luisa Geiselsoder, who hasn't played
a single minute in the WNBA since being drafted in
(37:19):
twenty twenty. Those are all headlines from Athlon Sports, a
site that somehow gets enough search engine optimization to pop
up in the top results of searches, even though their
headlines are misleading, their articles are devoid of any context
or nuance, and their authors are most likely robots. Why
Yahoo Sports decided to integrate athlon sports stories into their
(37:40):
site is beyond me joining the likes of sports Keda
and other AI driven sites. Athlon is just confusing folks
who don't have enough context or digital literacy to figure
out the truth from the bs. So a note to slices,
be careful where you're reading things and be careful what
you're sharing enough search and look for corroborating accounts from
(38:02):
legit sources before sharing stories or spreading rumors. These athletes
deserve that from us now it's your turn. Rate and review.
Thanks for listening, enjoy the games at see you next week.
Good Game, Golden State, Good Game, Jess, fuck you. Roster cuts,
especially those final cuts. It hurts. It hurts, real bad.
(38:27):
Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports
production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You
could find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or
wherever you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network,
our producers are Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our executive
producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan, and Emily Rudder.
(38:47):
Our editors are Emily Rutterer, Brittany Martinez, Grace Lynch, and
Gianna Palmer. Our associate producer is Lucy Jones and I'm
Your host Sarah Spain
Host
Sarah Spain
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