By Beth Schnitzer—
There’s something extraordinary happening in Bay Area women’s sports, and nowhere has it been more evident than during the Golden State Valkyries’ historic playoff run.
The energy inside Chase Center has been electric, with a sea of purple, violet, and lavender; thunderous cheers; and fans on their feet celebrating every basket, every defensive play, and every unforgettable moment. The Valkyries have made history, advancing to the WNBA Finals in just their second season. As of this writing, the series against the Atlanta Dream is still underway, and I’m actually at courtside at Ballhalla!
Some of my most memorable moments have happened before tipoff, connecting with fans who arrived early to watch the players warm up. One unforgettable encounter was with Cynthia Cheak, a devoted Valkyries fan whose enthusiasm was as dazzling as her outfit. Decked out in sparkling lavender and purple, complete with a bedazzled prosthetic leg, Cynthia was distributing purple Valkyries playoff wristbands and spreading team spirit to everyone around her. Inspired by Taylor Swift fans exchanging friendship bracelets, Cynthia has given away an astonishing 18,000 wristbands, including 6,000 for the WNBA Finals. Her message is simple: “As a TEAM you can do anything.”
For Cynthia, the players have provided personal strength and inspiration, motivating her to spread kindness, support, and a sense of belonging throughout Ballhalla. Her infectious energy captured something special about this team and its fans. When she later emailed me, her subject line said it all: “Valkyries Ballhalla Mama!”
And that enthusiasm extends well beyond Chase Center. Whether wearing my Valkyries pin to a Best of Silicon Valley celebration or sporting my Violet mascot pin at the Mill Valley Film Festival, I’ve been amazed by the high-fives and spontaneous shouts of “Go Valkyries!” Even a recent conversation at my JCC, sparked by my lavender Ballhalla T-shirt, turned into an enthusiastic introduction to the team for a soccer fan who now wants to bring his sister to Thrive City and buy her a purple Valkyries jersey.
This is more than basketball. It’s a growing community, a shared culture, and the excitement of being part of something historic.
A Historic Run to the WNBA Finals
After defeating the Dallas Wings in the opening round, the Valkyries swept the Las Vegas Aces in three straight semifinal games, securing their first WNBA Finals berth.
I attended two playoff games against Dallas and one against Las Vegas at Chase Center, where the crowd seemed to grow louder with every possession. The fans were truly a sixth player, fueling the intensity on the court.
But it was Game 3 in Las Vegas that had me jumping up and down in my living room as the Valkyries staged an incredible comeback, forced overtime and secured their place in the Finals. As the final seconds ticked away, text messages flew back and forth with friends throughout the Bay Area and family on the East Coast. The excitement, disbelief, and sheer joy were overwhelming. It felt as though the entire Bay Area was celebrating together, with the excitement reaching family and friends far beyond California.
What has impressed me most is the team’s depth, resilience, and the strategic leadership of head coach Natalie Nakase and her staff. The contributions from the bench, fresh legs and ability to adjust under pressure, have been extraordinary. And now, in just their second season, the Valkyries are competing for a WNBA championship.
The Valkyries are making history off the court, too. With a reported $1 billion franchise valuation, more than $100 million in annual revenue, and another season of sold-out home games, they’ve become a remarkable business success story. Having spent much of my career in sports marketing, I’ve been particularly impressed by the growing presence of corporate sponsors and creative fan activations at Chase Center and Thrive City. It’s further evidence that investing in women’s sports is also smart business.
And that momentum connects directly to the remarkable women who helped build the foundation for today’s opportunities.
Honoring the Trailblazers: San Jose Sports Hall of Fame
At the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 media day and reception, I had the opportunity to interview two extraordinary athletes: soccer trailblazer and Bay FC co-founder Leslie Osborne and four-time Olympic water polo medalist Brenda Villa. Both reflected on their careers, the evolution of women’s sports, and the opportunities they hope to create for future generations.
For Osborne, the Bay Area has been central to her journey, from helping lead Santa Clara University to its first NCAA women’s soccer championship in 2001 to representing the United States internationally and ultimately co-founding Bay FC.
“We’re creating a generational legacy,” she told me, describing her vision for Bay FC and the generations of families she hopes will grow up supporting the club.
Osborne recalled the emotional experience of seeing more than 42,000 fans at Bay FC’s match at Oracle Park, a powerful demonstration of the demand for women’s professional sports. She also reflected on what it means for her three daughters to grow up surrounded by professional female athletes and role models. Sustaining that momentum, she emphasized, requires continued investment, strong infrastructure, and thoughtful growth. Sponsors increasingly recognize women’s sports as a sound business opportunity with measurable returns.
For Brenda Villa, induction into the Hall of Fame represents a meaningful homecoming. One of the most decorated athletes in women’s water polo history, Villa is a four-time Olympian and four-time Olympic medalist, culminating in gold at the 2012 London Games. She also helped lead Stanford to its first NCAA women’s water polo championship in 2002.
Now back at Stanford as associate head coach, Villa described her induction as a full-circle moment, reflecting on the personal growth she experienced as a student-athlete and the foundation it provided for her future success. Her Olympic memories extend beyond medals. She recalled competing in Sydney in 2000, when women’s water polo made its Olympic debut, and learning to appreciate the experience even through the disappointment of falling short of gold. “It’s the journey. It’s your teammates. It’s that experience,” she told me.
Villa is especially encouraged by the expansion of Olympic opportunities. At LA28, women’s water polo is expected to feature 12 teams, matching the men’s competition for the first time.
But her vision goes beyond elite athletics. She is passionate about making water polo more diverse and accessible, particularly for children whose financial circumstances or limited access to swimming pools might otherwise prevent them from participating.
For Villa, the legacy is not simply the medals she earned, but the opportunities she can help create for others.
Osborne and Villa will be inducted alongside legendary basketball coach Mike Montgomery and San Jose Sharks icon Joe Thornton at the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Thursday, November 19, at SAP Center at San Jose. For tickets and information, visit https://sjsa.org/hof/
From the Valkyries’ record-breaking rise to the enduring achievements of Osborne and Villa, the Bay Area continues to demonstrate what’s possible when talent, opportunity, and investment come together. These women athletes aren’t simply making sports history. They’re creating a legacy for generations to come. As Osborne so perfectly captured this extraordinary moment in women’s sports: “I think it’s a moment, I think it’s a movement, and I don’t think it’s going anywhere.”
Signing off from the Bay, where passion meets the play.
Beth Schnitzer is the Co-Founder and President of Spritz and the former President of WISE (Women in Sports and Events).
Beth’s Bay Area Sports Beat
Published on October 22, 2026
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