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"content": "\u003cp>Girls’ flag football is exploding in popularity at high schools across the Bay Area, especially since the sport was officially sanctioned by California in 2023. It coincides with the rise of professional women’s sports teams like the Golden State Valkyries and Bay FC, cementing the Bay’s status as a leader in women’s sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Links:\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2025/08/23/bay-fc-oracle-park-valkyries-wnba/\">How the Bay became the new capital of women’s sports\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=KQINC6716280550&light=true\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ci>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/i>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there may be errors.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:01:31] When it was officially sanctioned as a high school sport in California, there were about 10,000 participants in the entire state and it’s grown over 300 percent. Starting in 2023, it was introduced kind of as a test in Southern California and high schools around the Bay Area started to pick it up as a club sport. And then since then, it’s been remarkable. All the stats point to its growth in the past two, three years and kind of growing into a national movement as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:16] I guess maybe for people who aren’t familiar with flag football, like describe the game for me, I guess.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:02:22] Yeah, it’s very similar to boys tackle football at the high school level, just minus the physicality aspect of the tackling, similar kind of skill set in terms of arm strength and throwing and skill set. In terms of running.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:38] And they have the flags around their waists, right? And the goal is to like.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:02:43] Oh, yes. So essentially the goal is to deflag a runner who has the ball.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:49] I know you talked with flag football players and coaches here in the Bay Area. What can you tell me about who is joining flag football?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:02:58] I talked with Milpitas high school coach Matt Robbins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:03:02] Hey, good job on the pictures. We got that done. So now we wanted to see what we can get the best quality practice that we can in the remaining time…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:03:10] He played for 15 years throughout high school and then kind of beyond recreationally after playing tackle football in high school.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:03:19] I always imagine myself coaching my my son in football, right? So it’s been sort of this joyful surprise to coach my daughter in football and she’s the one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:03:28] He was recruited by his daughter, who’s a senior at Milpitas, to coach their program when they were bringing in on as a club team in 2023.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:03:37] And I was just I was pumped. I was like my my high school daughter wants to be seen with me at school. This is this is pretty awesome. You know, she’s not embarrassed. This is great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:03:49] He was super excited about kind of just getting started and getting to spend time with his daughter and has been since taken back by the growth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:03:57] First year we did it. We were begging girls to come out. We only had 12 players and then the next year it became a full varsity sanctioned sport. We had 50 something try out the third year and this year we upgraded to varsity JV. We’ve got a camp for kids in the summer and we host the tournament.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:04:14] So an interesting thing that he mentioned about numbers at tryouts are over I’d say about 40 percent would be freshmen. And then the next biggest group is sophomores. So what he pointed out to me was that now it’s becoming an option in these middle schoolers entering high school’s minds. So it’s become a younger and younger sport, but growing in that way as they grow and develop through high school.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:04:43] I know you talked with a player named Bren David. I wonder if you could tell me a little bit more about her and how she got into flag football.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:04:53] I did speak with Bren David. She said that she comes from a background of kind of track and field and soccer and other sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bren David \u003c/strong>[00:05:02] I wanted to join my freshman year, but I couldn’t really because I had sports. But then my sophomore year then is when I started getting into it and then I met.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:05:13] She’s a quarterback. And I think what really sets her apart is her arm strength and her throwing ability and kind of field vision to find her teammates, you know, like 40 yards down the field.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:05:25] The running ability is…I mean, she’s a ninja.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:05:29] She has this running ability, this passing ability that Matt Robbins has talked about as just being super unique and very special and a special talent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:05:41] Like this one time in a game, she was running with the ball and there was three girls in front of her, one in front and like on either side. It was like impossible to get away, right? She jumped into the middle of them and then jumped backwards and they all kind of ran into each other and then she went around them. It was I was like, what am I watching? You know what? Who does this?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:06:05] Early on in the 2024 season, Bren was named National Player of the Year by Max Prep, so she is a big deal in the sport.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:06:17] I mean, how does she talk about what she likes about flag football?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:06:21] She was just super enthusiastic about the opportunity and being with her friends and being competitive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bren David \u003c/strong>[00:06:30] The adrenaline of like the night games, the night lights and like hearing your team cheer and just having that like hype around is pretty fun. And like all the other teams that we get to play, you get to show them your talent and show everyone around what you got.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:06:56] What is, I guess, driving the growth of girls flag football right now?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:07:12] I think the introduction of flag football to the Olympic Games in 2028 in Los Angeles had a huge impact just about awareness. The NFL’s effort to grow the game has been huge for both boys and girls flag football. All 32 NFL teams now are either affiliated with flag football kind of club programs outside of high school or they hold camps on a smaller level. The growth happens when these middle schoolers, these eighth graders see their high school that they’re heading to has a program and it’s doing well and it has massive turnout at tryouts. And it’s on their radar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:07:58] I also feel like it doesn’t seem like a coincidence that this is also sort of coinciding with the rapid growth of just professional women’s sports in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:08:11] Yeah, absolutely. That was something I had wanted to kind of pair in my mind when I was approaching my article because as a Valkyries and Bay FC reporter, I’ve noticed the success of the team. Yes, but the crowds in the turnout and the overwhelming support from San Francisco, San Jose, the entire Bay Area for those teams. And just I was like, why is this happening in the Bay Area? And if you look at it, it just makes sense that this is such a place that would support and has long supported women’s sports development. Flag football is just starting out in its early years. It’s essentially three years into it now. But maybe that’s the direction that it could be heading because, as you said, visibility is huge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:09:04] What will need to happen in order for girls flag football to grow even more?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:09:10] The next step would be implementing opportunities at a higher level outside of club and outside of high school. There isn’t the sort of scholarship infrastructure that like there is for other Division One sports. There are a few colleges that have programs, but that number is limited and there’s certainly room for a lot of growth there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:09:33] I want to see colleges committing to it as a full sport, giving scholarships.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:09:41] In my conversation with Matt, he had told me about kind of hearing rumblings of colleges interested in introducing programs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:09:50] I just don’t know how long does it take, you know, institutions to change course. And I think it usually takes them a while. Anything involves money. But I don’t I just think that the girls themselves are going to demand it and make it happen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:10:06] Outside of college, there are regional teams. Bren David played on a regional kind of Northern California, best of the Bay Area Northern California team that competed along the West Coast. And then there would be a national team as well. But again, limited to kind of 15 to 20 of the best players nationwide.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:10:29] Remains to be seen. It seems like like how much this will will grow. But are you hopeful?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:10:35] Absolutely. Yeah, I think all signs point in the right direction. The support from high schools and implementing kind of resources and spaces and the boys teams sharing their space and kind of seamlessly integrating girls flag football into the high school sports scene. I think it’s really taken over there. And it just points to kind of. Skyrocketing in the next few years, if you look at how much it’s grown since 2023, it’s only been a few short years and it’s kind of the beginning of a lifetime.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:11:16] You look at how huge obviously boys tackle football is in high school. It’s such a cultural thing all over the United States, but it has 100 years history on girls flag football. And, you know, you don’t want to look too far in the future, but imagine where where this could be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:11:35] Well, I feel like I’ve said this before, but it seems like a really exciting time to be a women’s sports reporter in the Bay Area. So thank you so much for joining us, Jane.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Girls’ flag football is exploding in popularity at high schools across the Bay Area, especially since the sport was officially sanctioned by California in 2023. It coincides with the rise of professional women’s sports teams like the Golden State Valkyries and Bay FC, cementing the Bay’s status as a leader in women’s sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Links:\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2025/08/23/bay-fc-oracle-park-valkyries-wnba/\">How the Bay became the new capital of women’s sports\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=KQINC6716280550&light=true\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ci>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/i>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there may be errors.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:01:31] When it was officially sanctioned as a high school sport in California, there were about 10,000 participants in the entire state and it’s grown over 300 percent. Starting in 2023, it was introduced kind of as a test in Southern California and high schools around the Bay Area started to pick it up as a club sport. And then since then, it’s been remarkable. All the stats point to its growth in the past two, three years and kind of growing into a national movement as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:16] I guess maybe for people who aren’t familiar with flag football, like describe the game for me, I guess.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:02:22] Yeah, it’s very similar to boys tackle football at the high school level, just minus the physicality aspect of the tackling, similar kind of skill set in terms of arm strength and throwing and skill set. In terms of running.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:38] And they have the flags around their waists, right? And the goal is to like.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:02:43] Oh, yes. So essentially the goal is to deflag a runner who has the ball.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:49] I know you talked with flag football players and coaches here in the Bay Area. What can you tell me about who is joining flag football?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:02:58] I talked with Milpitas high school coach Matt Robbins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:03:02] Hey, good job on the pictures. We got that done. So now we wanted to see what we can get the best quality practice that we can in the remaining time…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:03:10] He played for 15 years throughout high school and then kind of beyond recreationally after playing tackle football in high school.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:03:19] I always imagine myself coaching my my son in football, right? So it’s been sort of this joyful surprise to coach my daughter in football and she’s the one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:03:28] He was recruited by his daughter, who’s a senior at Milpitas, to coach their program when they were bringing in on as a club team in 2023.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:03:37] And I was just I was pumped. I was like my my high school daughter wants to be seen with me at school. This is this is pretty awesome. You know, she’s not embarrassed. This is great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:03:49] He was super excited about kind of just getting started and getting to spend time with his daughter and has been since taken back by the growth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:03:57] First year we did it. We were begging girls to come out. We only had 12 players and then the next year it became a full varsity sanctioned sport. We had 50 something try out the third year and this year we upgraded to varsity JV. We’ve got a camp for kids in the summer and we host the tournament.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:04:14] So an interesting thing that he mentioned about numbers at tryouts are over I’d say about 40 percent would be freshmen. And then the next biggest group is sophomores. So what he pointed out to me was that now it’s becoming an option in these middle schoolers entering high school’s minds. So it’s become a younger and younger sport, but growing in that way as they grow and develop through high school.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:04:43] I know you talked with a player named Bren David. I wonder if you could tell me a little bit more about her and how she got into flag football.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:04:53] I did speak with Bren David. She said that she comes from a background of kind of track and field and soccer and other sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bren David \u003c/strong>[00:05:02] I wanted to join my freshman year, but I couldn’t really because I had sports. But then my sophomore year then is when I started getting into it and then I met.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:05:13] She’s a quarterback. And I think what really sets her apart is her arm strength and her throwing ability and kind of field vision to find her teammates, you know, like 40 yards down the field.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:05:25] The running ability is…I mean, she’s a ninja.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:05:29] She has this running ability, this passing ability that Matt Robbins has talked about as just being super unique and very special and a special talent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:05:41] Like this one time in a game, she was running with the ball and there was three girls in front of her, one in front and like on either side. It was like impossible to get away, right? She jumped into the middle of them and then jumped backwards and they all kind of ran into each other and then she went around them. It was I was like, what am I watching? You know what? Who does this?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:06:05] Early on in the 2024 season, Bren was named National Player of the Year by Max Prep, so she is a big deal in the sport.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:06:17] I mean, how does she talk about what she likes about flag football?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:06:21] She was just super enthusiastic about the opportunity and being with her friends and being competitive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bren David \u003c/strong>[00:06:30] The adrenaline of like the night games, the night lights and like hearing your team cheer and just having that like hype around is pretty fun. And like all the other teams that we get to play, you get to show them your talent and show everyone around what you got.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:06:56] What is, I guess, driving the growth of girls flag football right now?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:07:12] I think the introduction of flag football to the Olympic Games in 2028 in Los Angeles had a huge impact just about awareness. The NFL’s effort to grow the game has been huge for both boys and girls flag football. All 32 NFL teams now are either affiliated with flag football kind of club programs outside of high school or they hold camps on a smaller level. The growth happens when these middle schoolers, these eighth graders see their high school that they’re heading to has a program and it’s doing well and it has massive turnout at tryouts. And it’s on their radar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:07:58] I also feel like it doesn’t seem like a coincidence that this is also sort of coinciding with the rapid growth of just professional women’s sports in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:08:11] Yeah, absolutely. That was something I had wanted to kind of pair in my mind when I was approaching my article because as a Valkyries and Bay FC reporter, I’ve noticed the success of the team. Yes, but the crowds in the turnout and the overwhelming support from San Francisco, San Jose, the entire Bay Area for those teams. And just I was like, why is this happening in the Bay Area? And if you look at it, it just makes sense that this is such a place that would support and has long supported women’s sports development. Flag football is just starting out in its early years. It’s essentially three years into it now. But maybe that’s the direction that it could be heading because, as you said, visibility is huge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:09:04] What will need to happen in order for girls flag football to grow even more?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:09:10] The next step would be implementing opportunities at a higher level outside of club and outside of high school. There isn’t the sort of scholarship infrastructure that like there is for other Division One sports. There are a few colleges that have programs, but that number is limited and there’s certainly room for a lot of growth there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:09:33] I want to see colleges committing to it as a full sport, giving scholarships.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:09:41] In my conversation with Matt, he had told me about kind of hearing rumblings of colleges interested in introducing programs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Matt Robbins \u003c/strong>[00:09:50] I just don’t know how long does it take, you know, institutions to change course. And I think it usually takes them a while. Anything involves money. But I don’t I just think that the girls themselves are going to demand it and make it happen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:10:06] Outside of college, there are regional teams. Bren David played on a regional kind of Northern California, best of the Bay Area Northern California team that competed along the West Coast. And then there would be a national team as well. But again, limited to kind of 15 to 20 of the best players nationwide.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:10:29] Remains to be seen. It seems like like how much this will will grow. But are you hopeful?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:10:35] Absolutely. Yeah, I think all signs point in the right direction. The support from high schools and implementing kind of resources and spaces and the boys teams sharing their space and kind of seamlessly integrating girls flag football into the high school sports scene. I think it’s really taken over there. And it just points to kind of. Skyrocketing in the next few years, if you look at how much it’s grown since 2023, it’s only been a few short years and it’s kind of the beginning of a lifetime.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jane Kenny \u003c/strong>[00:11:16] You look at how huge obviously boys tackle football is in high school. It’s such a cultural thing all over the United States, but it has 100 years history on girls flag football. And, you know, you don’t want to look too far in the future, but imagine where where this could be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:11:35] Well, I feel like I’ve said this before, but it seems like a really exciting time to be a women’s sports reporter in the Bay Area. So thank you so much for joining us, Jane.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>“I need a cigarette,” Gerri Bordash said as she flung open one of the many doors \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055992/valkyries-fans-fly-south-for-historic-make-or-break-playoff-game\">at San José’s SAP Center\u003c/a> on Wednesday and walked out into the warm night air.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like many other \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/how-to-be-a-valkyries-fan-a-beginners-guide-to-bay-area-wnba-fandom\">fans of the Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a>, Bordash had some processing to do. Her team had just been eliminated from the first round of the WNBA playoffs, losing by a solitary point to the Minnesota Lynx, the top-seeded team in the league. On the other hand, this was the Valkyries’ inaugural season, and Bordash found a lot to be proud of.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“ They were graceful. They fought like the valiant warriors that they are. Everyone can’t win, right? But for a first-time team, they did tremendously well and we’re very proud of them,“ Bordash said. She said she had tears in her eyes when the final buzzer sounded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ 75–74 loss ended a phenomenal first season, in which they christened San Francisco’s Chase Center as “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980855/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-bay-area-djs-ladyryan-shellheart-chase-center\">Ballhalla\u003c/a>,” proceeded to sell out every home game and became the first WNBA expansion team to make it to the postseason in their debut season. For fans, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to welcome a WNBA team of their own to the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Still inside the arena after the game, Rita Garcia stood alone with her back against a column, staring blankly as others lined up to buy Valkyries jerseys at 40% off.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056524\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12056524\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-08-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-08-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-08-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-08-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries fans cheer during Game 2 of the Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx WNBA playoff game at the SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“One basket. We could have won by just one basket,” said Garcia, her voice faltering. “Those last couple of minutes were so heartbreaking.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wearing a Valkyries letterman jacket, she said she was feeling “a lot of emotions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“ I just feel a deep connection with the team, with the essence of Ballhalla, the other fans, the community. The community is really welcoming to everyone,” Garcia said.[aside postID=news_12055670 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg']Even longtime fans of the WNBA are surprised by how quickly — and how fiercely — the Bay Area embraced the Valkyries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“ I’ve been waiting years for this and it’s been better than I ever dreamed it would be,” said Carissa Perkins of Oakland, who has followed the WNBA for six years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In just one 44-game season, the Valkyries have built a diehard following. Deafening cheers rattled SAP Center on Wednesday night as a sell-out crowd of 18,543 — some wearing lavender-sequin jackets, others in Valkyries-themed helmets — roared during the team’s first-ever home playoff game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is what it’s supposed to be like to love sports,” Perkins said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although a scheduling conflict prevented the team from hosting the Lynx at Chase Center, fans were determined to make SAP Center feel like theirs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Ballhalla is a mentality,” read one sign in the crowd.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Outside, DJs worked the block party while 11-year-old Eloise Annerau shot hoops on a temporary court.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056525\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12056525 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-11-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-11-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-11-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-11-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Game 2 of the Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx WNBA playoff game begins at the SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s gotten me more into basketball,” Eloise said of the team’s success. “ I started last year and I’ve gotten so much better. They’re really inspiring to me.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her mother, Kristen Hutchins, leaned against a barricade and watched.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Since she started coming to Valkyries games, I’ve seen her play with more confidence and have more confidence in school and with friends,” Hutchins said. “ So sports is doing everything that I wanted it to do for her, which is to give her self-confidence and learn to be a leader.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ahead of the game, Caltrain rolled out a Valkyries-themed train. Purple tassels decorated the cars as staff passed out rally towels and hosted Valkyries trivia. Jason Schafer rode the train with his 8-year-old son.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056629\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12056629 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-ValkyriesPlayoffs-01-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-ValkyriesPlayoffs-01-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-ValkyriesPlayoffs-01-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-ValkyriesPlayoffs-01-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caltrain employee Emely Anne Balingit gives away swag to Golden State Valkyries fans as they ride Caltrain to the SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025, for Game 2 of the Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx WNBA playoff. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Valkyries games have every kind of person, families, food and music,” Schafer said. “It’s just the most Bay Area thing ever.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While Valkyries fans are rabid about the team, frustration with the WNBA surfaced in the stands.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some wore shirts reading, “Pay them what you owe them,” referring to players’ push for a larger share of league revenue in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the one that expires Oct. 31.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is a huge moment,” said E Gilliam, who held up a sign that read, “Pay the players.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056533\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12056533 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-38-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-38-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-38-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-38-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Veronica Burton (left) and the Golden State Valkyries play the Minnesota Lynx during Game 2 of the WNBA playoffs at the SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“There’s been a surge in viewership. There’s been a massive surge in attendance, and the players are not seeing a bump in wages,” Gilliam said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Valkyries broke multiple league attendance records this year and sold out all 22 home games. In just their first year, they have become the first women’s sports team to be valued at $500 million, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportico.com/valuations/teams/2025/wnba-team-values-2025-golden-state-valkyries-1234857652/\">an analysis\u003c/a> by the sports industry publication Sportico.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yet most players on the Valkyries roster, like many across the WNBA, are on contracts that pay them \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotrac.com/wnba/contracts/_/team/gs\">less than $80,000 a year\u003c/a> on average. The team’s highest-paid player is 13-year veteran Tiffany Hayes, who signed a one-year, $200,000 contract in February.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the game’s end, it was difficult to tell that the Valkyries had lost amid the thunderous cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056529\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12056529\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-18-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-18-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries fans cheer during Game 2 of the Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx WNBA playoff game at the SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Chinaka Hodge, a member of the Valkyries’ “founding guard” of inaugural season ticket holders, said the night was “incredible” as she walked down the back stairs out of the arena with her mother.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“ I remember when the WNBA came out and people said, ‘No one will ever come see women’s basketball,’” Hodge said. “ To see young boys cheering for these young women — to see people of all different sexual orientations, creeds, nationalities, races cheering for these women — was a dream of mine.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056538\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12056538\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-66-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-66-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-66-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-66-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries team member Monique Billings looks out to the crowd after losing to the Minnesota Lynx during the WNBA Playoffs at SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Across the street from SAP Center, it was hard to find a seat on the 9:53 p.m. train headed toward San Francisco. Its cars were packed with fans chatting about the game, but the vibe was anything but downtrodden.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lily Brown hung on to a rail as the train rocked its way down the tracks, with her seven-months-pregnant wife sitting nearby. The San Francisco couple were season ticket holders this year. Next year, they’re planning on investing in a good pair of earmuffs so they can bring their newborn.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Though the Golden State Valkyries were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs, fans expressed intense admiration for the new team and excitement about years to come.",
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"title": "‘Better Than I Ever Dreamed’: Valkyries Fans Reflect on Historic First Season | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>“I need a cigarette,” Gerri Bordash said as she flung open one of the many doors \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055992/valkyries-fans-fly-south-for-historic-make-or-break-playoff-game\">at San José’s SAP Center\u003c/a> on Wednesday and walked out into the warm night air.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like many other \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/how-to-be-a-valkyries-fan-a-beginners-guide-to-bay-area-wnba-fandom\">fans of the Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a>, Bordash had some processing to do. Her team had just been eliminated from the first round of the WNBA playoffs, losing by a solitary point to the Minnesota Lynx, the top-seeded team in the league. On the other hand, this was the Valkyries’ inaugural season, and Bordash found a lot to be proud of.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“ They were graceful. They fought like the valiant warriors that they are. Everyone can’t win, right? But for a first-time team, they did tremendously well and we’re very proud of them,“ Bordash said. She said she had tears in her eyes when the final buzzer sounded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ 75–74 loss ended a phenomenal first season, in which they christened San Francisco’s Chase Center as “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980855/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-bay-area-djs-ladyryan-shellheart-chase-center\">Ballhalla\u003c/a>,” proceeded to sell out every home game and became the first WNBA expansion team to make it to the postseason in their debut season. For fans, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to welcome a WNBA team of their own to the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Still inside the arena after the game, Rita Garcia stood alone with her back against a column, staring blankly as others lined up to buy Valkyries jerseys at 40% off.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056524\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12056524\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-08-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-08-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-08-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-08-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries fans cheer during Game 2 of the Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx WNBA playoff game at the SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“One basket. We could have won by just one basket,” said Garcia, her voice faltering. “Those last couple of minutes were so heartbreaking.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wearing a Valkyries letterman jacket, she said she was feeling “a lot of emotions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“ I just feel a deep connection with the team, with the essence of Ballhalla, the other fans, the community. The community is really welcoming to everyone,” Garcia said.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Even longtime fans of the WNBA are surprised by how quickly — and how fiercely — the Bay Area embraced the Valkyries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“ I’ve been waiting years for this and it’s been better than I ever dreamed it would be,” said Carissa Perkins of Oakland, who has followed the WNBA for six years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In just one 44-game season, the Valkyries have built a diehard following. Deafening cheers rattled SAP Center on Wednesday night as a sell-out crowd of 18,543 — some wearing lavender-sequin jackets, others in Valkyries-themed helmets — roared during the team’s first-ever home playoff game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is what it’s supposed to be like to love sports,” Perkins said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although a scheduling conflict prevented the team from hosting the Lynx at Chase Center, fans were determined to make SAP Center feel like theirs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Ballhalla is a mentality,” read one sign in the crowd.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Outside, DJs worked the block party while 11-year-old Eloise Annerau shot hoops on a temporary court.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056525\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12056525 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-11-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-11-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-11-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-11-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Game 2 of the Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx WNBA playoff game begins at the SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s gotten me more into basketball,” Eloise said of the team’s success. “ I started last year and I’ve gotten so much better. They’re really inspiring to me.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her mother, Kristen Hutchins, leaned against a barricade and watched.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Since she started coming to Valkyries games, I’ve seen her play with more confidence and have more confidence in school and with friends,” Hutchins said. “ So sports is doing everything that I wanted it to do for her, which is to give her self-confidence and learn to be a leader.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ahead of the game, Caltrain rolled out a Valkyries-themed train. Purple tassels decorated the cars as staff passed out rally towels and hosted Valkyries trivia. Jason Schafer rode the train with his 8-year-old son.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056629\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12056629 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-ValkyriesPlayoffs-01-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-ValkyriesPlayoffs-01-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-ValkyriesPlayoffs-01-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-ValkyriesPlayoffs-01-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caltrain employee Emely Anne Balingit gives away swag to Golden State Valkyries fans as they ride Caltrain to the SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025, for Game 2 of the Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx WNBA playoff. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Valkyries games have every kind of person, families, food and music,” Schafer said. “It’s just the most Bay Area thing ever.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While Valkyries fans are rabid about the team, frustration with the WNBA surfaced in the stands.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some wore shirts reading, “Pay them what you owe them,” referring to players’ push for a larger share of league revenue in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the one that expires Oct. 31.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is a huge moment,” said E Gilliam, who held up a sign that read, “Pay the players.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056533\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12056533 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-38-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-38-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-38-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-38-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Veronica Burton (left) and the Golden State Valkyries play the Minnesota Lynx during Game 2 of the WNBA playoffs at the SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“There’s been a surge in viewership. There’s been a massive surge in attendance, and the players are not seeing a bump in wages,” Gilliam said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Valkyries broke multiple league attendance records this year and sold out all 22 home games. In just their first year, they have become the first women’s sports team to be valued at $500 million, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportico.com/valuations/teams/2025/wnba-team-values-2025-golden-state-valkyries-1234857652/\">an analysis\u003c/a> by the sports industry publication Sportico.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yet most players on the Valkyries roster, like many across the WNBA, are on contracts that pay them \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotrac.com/wnba/contracts/_/team/gs\">less than $80,000 a year\u003c/a> on average. The team’s highest-paid player is 13-year veteran Tiffany Hayes, who signed a one-year, $200,000 contract in February.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the game’s end, it was difficult to tell that the Valkyries had lost amid the thunderous cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056529\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12056529\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-18-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-18-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-18-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries fans cheer during Game 2 of the Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx WNBA playoff game at the SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Chinaka Hodge, a member of the Valkyries’ “founding guard” of inaugural season ticket holders, said the night was “incredible” as she walked down the back stairs out of the arena with her mother.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“ I remember when the WNBA came out and people said, ‘No one will ever come see women’s basketball,’” Hodge said. “ To see young boys cheering for these young women — to see people of all different sexual orientations, creeds, nationalities, races cheering for these women — was a dream of mine.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12056538\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12056538\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-66-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-66-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-66-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-66-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries team member Monique Billings looks out to the crowd after losing to the Minnesota Lynx during the WNBA Playoffs at SAP Center in San José on Sept. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Across the street from SAP Center, it was hard to find a seat on the 9:53 p.m. train headed toward San Francisco. Its cars were packed with fans chatting about the game, but the vibe was anything but downtrodden.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lily Brown hung on to a rail as the train rocked its way down the tracks, with her seven-months-pregnant wife sitting nearby. The San Francisco couple were season ticket holders this year. Next year, they’re planning on investing in a good pair of earmuffs so they can bring their newborn.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "golden-state-valkyries-where-to-watch-the-wnba-playoffs-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-online-on-tv-and-at-bars",
"title": "Valkyries Playoffs 2025: Where to Watch the WNBA in the San Francisco Bay Area",
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"headTitle": "Valkyries Playoffs 2025: Where to Watch the WNBA in the San Francisco Bay Area | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/golden-state-valkyries\">Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a> made WNBA history as the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season. General public tickets and verified resales for \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valkyries/p/DOfanNsjSSs/\">their first home game\u003c/a> tonight are still available on \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C006325A934574D\">Ticketmaster\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As the first new team in the franchise in nearly 20 years, the Valkyries faced high expectations. And by finishing among the league’s top eight, they delivered.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Could I be more excited? Impossible,” said San Francisco Valkyries fan Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely, a teacher and co-host of the podcast \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valkyriessayless/\">Valkyries Say Less\u003c/a>. “It is amazing, historic, and I am so proud of the journey of these incredible women.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Because when we started this, we had no idea where we were going to go.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Playoffs start on Sunday. Read on to find out where you can follow the game in the coming weeks, whether it is on TV, bars or at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re new to basketball but want to join the Bay Area hype after the team’s big milestone, don’t worry — we’ve got a quick explainer below on what playoffs are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>KQED also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/how-to-be-a-valkyries-fan-a-beginners-guide-to-bay-area-wnba-fandom\">a comprehensive guide\u003c/a> to the world of the WNBA and fan culture in the Bay Area for new viewers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040691\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1873px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040691\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1873\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed.jpg 1873w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-800x569.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-1020x726.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-1536x1093.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1873px) 100vw, 1873px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans pose for a photo outside of Chase Center, following the WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Los Angeles Sparks on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>So, what \u003cem>are \u003c/em>playoffs?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>After a regular season of basketball, the top eight WNBA teams compete in a tournament. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/standings\">team\u003c/a> standings are:\u003c/p>\n\u003col>\n\u003cli>Minnesota Lynx\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Las Vegas Aces\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Atlanta Dream\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Phoenix Mercury\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>New York Liberty\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Indiana Fever\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Seattle Storm\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Golden State Valkyries\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ol>\n\u003cp>Dates and times are subject to change — or even canceled altogether — depending on how the games go, but the \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-playoffs-and-finals-dates\">tentative schedule\u003c/a> in Pacific Standard Time is \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2025&month=all\">as follows\u003c/a>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Round 1\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003cstrong>Sunday at 10 a.m. on ESPN: Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis\u003c/strong>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sunday noon on ABC: Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN: New York Liberty vs. Phoenix Mercury\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN: Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN: Atlanta Dream vs. Indiana Fever\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN: Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Wednesday at 5 p.m. on ESPN: Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Wednesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN: Minnesota Lynx vs. Golden State Valkyries in San Jose\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 18 on ESPN2: Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 18 on ESPN2: Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sept. 19. on ESPN2: Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 19. on ESPN2: New York Liberty vs. Phoenix Mercury\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Semifinals\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. on ABC\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 23 at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 26 at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 28 at TBD on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. on ABC\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 30 at TBD on ESPNU\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 30 at TBD on ESPNU\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Finals\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Finals 1: Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 2: Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. on ABC\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 3: Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 4: Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 5: Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. on TBD\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 6: Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 7: Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“[The] Valkyries have really attracted people [who] have never even watched basketball. And so there’s a learning curve,” said Hutchinson-Szekely’s co-host and fellow teacher, Raina Mast. “Normalize being confused. The structure is confusing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Essentially, Mast and Hutchinson-Szekely explained, each of the eight teams will play their first game on Sunday. In the first round, the highest-seeded teams face the lowest-seeded teams in a best-of-three series. The Valkyries will be facing the Minnesota Lynx, a team they have \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/wnba/team/schedule/_/name/min/minnesota-lynx\">not beaten before\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040673\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1943px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040673\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1943\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg 1943w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-800x549.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1020x700.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-160x110.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1536x1054.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1920x1317.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1943px) 100vw, 1943px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) advances toward the basket during the Valkyries’ home opener at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In the second round, the four remaining teams play a best-of-five series. In the finals, the last two teams compete in a best-of-five series for the championship.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You may see in sports coverage where people refer to a “2-2-1-1” structure. That basically designates where the games are played. So, the first “2” means the first two games are played on the stronger team’s home court. The next “2” means the following two games are played on the weaker team’s home court. And so on.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Where can I watch the games?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>ESPN, ESPN2, ESNPU and ABC will be showing the games on TV. You can also get access to the channels through platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://tv.youtube.com/learn/wnba/\">YouTube TV\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fubo.tv/welcome\">Fubo\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Watch the game in person\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For fans hoping to see the game in person, know that any Valkyries home games will not be played at Chase Center — better known as “Ballhalla” — where every regular-season home game has \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/valkyries/status/1964507585060753897\">sold out\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, the Valkyries will be playing their first playoff home game on Wednesday at \u003ca href=\"https://www.sapcenter.com/news/detail/sap-center-to-host-first-evergolden-state-valkyrieswnba-playoff-game#:~:text=SAP%20Center%20at%20San%20Jose,Harlem%20Globetrotters%20(multiple%20years).\">San José’s SAP Center\u003c/a>. [aside postID=news_12047885 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/golden-state-valkyries.png']Jess Smith, president of the Golden State Valkyries, announced the arena change to season ticket holders after the team won the Sept. 4 game that secured their spot in the playoffs. Smith said that Chase Center was booked for a tennis tournament years in advance, before the Bay was given a WNBA team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re already working to ensure our playoff scheduling is protected going forward to prevent scheduling conflicts for future playoff runs in Ballhalla,” the letter reads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The news left some fans frustrated, considering that being \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/valkyries-move-first-playoff-game-to-san-jose-21032074.php\">pushed out of their home \u003c/a>arena has happened to WNBA teams in the past. As Breanna Stewart, a player and vice president for the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, said to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/valkyries-move-first-playoff-game-to-san-jose-21032074.php\">SFGate\u003c/a>, “You don’t see it happening with the NBA.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Coach Natalie Nakase, for her part, said \u003ca href=\"https://www.si.com/wnba/valkyries/valkyries-coach-opens-up-about-unfortunate-playoff-situation\">in a press conference\u003c/a> that the Valkyries are still playing in their territory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Even if we’re in San José, that’s still considered the Bay. We know that they’re going to travel, our fans are going to come,” she said. “For us, we’re still at home.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How to get to SAP Center\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you have never been to SAP Center, you’re in luck: downtown San José is very well connected by several public transit agencies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re coming from the city’s Eastside, you can take the light rail VTA from Alum Rock station straight to San José-Diridon, which is only one block away from SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12055677\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12055677\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/SAPCenterGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/SAPCenterGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/SAPCenterGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/SAPCenterGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The SAP Center sports arena in San José, California, on July 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Caltrain — which runs from San Francisco through San Mateo County to the South Bay — also stops at San José-Diridon. According to a Caltrain news release, the #416 southbound will feature a Valkyries-themed car, giving passengers the chance to win free merch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Coming in from the East Bay? You can take BART and get off at Berryessa/North San José station and then get on a VTA bus — specifically the Rapid 500 line — which will quickly take you straight to SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep in mind that public transportation in San José does not run the whole night. So if you are getting home through transit, be sure of when the last train or bus runs so you don’t get stranded. You can also use \u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/trip-planner/view\">trip planners\u003c/a> to \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/planner\">help\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://511.org/transit\">mark your route\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Watch the game at a bar\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you are unable to make it to a game, there are\u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-guide-to-wnba-watch-parties\"> bars and restaurants in the Bay\u003c/a> that show women’s sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There will likely be more parties announced as we get closer to the Valkyries’ first game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>If you can’t get into SAP Center but still want to join the fun, an \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valkyries/p/DOrhA63kuYt/\">official block party\u003c/a> will take place outside from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kalwpublicmedia/p/DOrp8-AjjSf/\">\u003cstrong>KALW\u003c/strong> in San Francisco\u003c/a> is hosting a watch party, complete with free pizza.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thenewparkway.com/\">\u003cstrong>The New Parkway Theater\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland is showing Wednesday’s game.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.chasecenter.com/events/?artist=GSV\">\u003cstrong>Thrive City \u003c/strong>\u003c/a> (the venue connected to Chase Center) hosted a free watch party for Sunday’s game.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">\u003cstrong>Rikki’s\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in San Francisco’s Castro District (the city’s first bar dedicated to women’s sports)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.zekisbar.com/\">\u003cstrong>Zeki’s Bar\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/whitehorsebar/?hl=en\">\u003cstrong>White Horse\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://line51beer.com/\">\u003cstrong>Line 51 Brewing\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/georgeandwaltsbar/?hl=en\">\u003cstrong>George & Walt’s\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://xingones.com/\">\u003cstrong>Xingones Cantina\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.theacoakland.com/\">\u003cstrong>Athletic Club Oakland\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Fan groups like the \u003cstrong>Valqueeries\u003c/strong>, which is for queer WNBA fans, often host watch parties for away games at local bars like Mother in the Mission District. You can get updates for the next event on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">Valqueeries’ Instagram\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story originally published on Sept. 12, and contains reporting from KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ccabreralomeli\">\u003cem>Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí.\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/golden-state-valkyries\">Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a> made WNBA history as the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season. General public tickets and verified resales for \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valkyries/p/DOfanNsjSSs/\">their first home game\u003c/a> tonight are still available on \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C006325A934574D\">Ticketmaster\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As the first new team in the franchise in nearly 20 years, the Valkyries faced high expectations. And by finishing among the league’s top eight, they delivered.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Could I be more excited? Impossible,” said San Francisco Valkyries fan Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely, a teacher and co-host of the podcast \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valkyriessayless/\">Valkyries Say Less\u003c/a>. “It is amazing, historic, and I am so proud of the journey of these incredible women.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Because when we started this, we had no idea where we were going to go.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Playoffs start on Sunday. Read on to find out where you can follow the game in the coming weeks, whether it is on TV, bars or at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you’re new to basketball but want to join the Bay Area hype after the team’s big milestone, don’t worry — we’ve got a quick explainer below on what playoffs are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>KQED also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/how-to-be-a-valkyries-fan-a-beginners-guide-to-bay-area-wnba-fandom\">a comprehensive guide\u003c/a> to the world of the WNBA and fan culture in the Bay Area for new viewers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040691\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1873px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040691\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1873\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed.jpg 1873w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-800x569.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-1020x726.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-1536x1093.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1873px) 100vw, 1873px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans pose for a photo outside of Chase Center, following the WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Los Angeles Sparks on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>So, what \u003cem>are \u003c/em>playoffs?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>After a regular season of basketball, the top eight WNBA teams compete in a tournament. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/standings\">team\u003c/a> standings are:\u003c/p>\n\u003col>\n\u003cli>Minnesota Lynx\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Las Vegas Aces\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Atlanta Dream\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Phoenix Mercury\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>New York Liberty\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Indiana Fever\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Seattle Storm\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Golden State Valkyries\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ol>\n\u003cp>Dates and times are subject to change — or even canceled altogether — depending on how the games go, but the \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-playoffs-and-finals-dates\">tentative schedule\u003c/a> in Pacific Standard Time is \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2025&month=all\">as follows\u003c/a>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Round 1\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003cstrong>Sunday at 10 a.m. on ESPN: Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis\u003c/strong>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sunday noon on ABC: Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN: New York Liberty vs. Phoenix Mercury\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN: Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN: Atlanta Dream vs. Indiana Fever\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN: Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Wednesday at 5 p.m. on ESPN: Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Wednesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN: Minnesota Lynx vs. Golden State Valkyries in San Jose\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 18 on ESPN2: Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 18 on ESPN2: Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sept. 19. on ESPN2: Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 19. on ESPN2: New York Liberty vs. Phoenix Mercury\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Semifinals\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. on ABC\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 23 at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 26 at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 28 at TBD on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. on ABC\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 30 at TBD on ESPNU\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 30 at TBD on ESPNU\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Finals\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Finals 1: Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 2: Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. on ABC\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 3: Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 4: Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 5: Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. on TBD\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 6: Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Finals 7: Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. on ESPN\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“[The] Valkyries have really attracted people [who] have never even watched basketball. And so there’s a learning curve,” said Hutchinson-Szekely’s co-host and fellow teacher, Raina Mast. “Normalize being confused. The structure is confusing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Essentially, Mast and Hutchinson-Szekely explained, each of the eight teams will play their first game on Sunday. In the first round, the highest-seeded teams face the lowest-seeded teams in a best-of-three series. The Valkyries will be facing the Minnesota Lynx, a team they have \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/wnba/team/schedule/_/name/min/minnesota-lynx\">not beaten before\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040673\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1943px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040673\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1943\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg 1943w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-800x549.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1020x700.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-160x110.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1536x1054.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1920x1317.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1943px) 100vw, 1943px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) advances toward the basket during the Valkyries’ home opener at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In the second round, the four remaining teams play a best-of-five series. In the finals, the last two teams compete in a best-of-five series for the championship.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You may see in sports coverage where people refer to a “2-2-1-1” structure. That basically designates where the games are played. So, the first “2” means the first two games are played on the stronger team’s home court. The next “2” means the following two games are played on the weaker team’s home court. And so on.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Where can I watch the games?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>ESPN, ESPN2, ESNPU and ABC will be showing the games on TV. You can also get access to the channels through platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://tv.youtube.com/learn/wnba/\">YouTube TV\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fubo.tv/welcome\">Fubo\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Watch the game in person\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For fans hoping to see the game in person, know that any Valkyries home games will not be played at Chase Center — better known as “Ballhalla” — where every regular-season home game has \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/valkyries/status/1964507585060753897\">sold out\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, the Valkyries will be playing their first playoff home game on Wednesday at \u003ca href=\"https://www.sapcenter.com/news/detail/sap-center-to-host-first-evergolden-state-valkyrieswnba-playoff-game#:~:text=SAP%20Center%20at%20San%20Jose,Harlem%20Globetrotters%20(multiple%20years).\">San José’s SAP Center\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Jess Smith, president of the Golden State Valkyries, announced the arena change to season ticket holders after the team won the Sept. 4 game that secured their spot in the playoffs. Smith said that Chase Center was booked for a tennis tournament years in advance, before the Bay was given a WNBA team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re already working to ensure our playoff scheduling is protected going forward to prevent scheduling conflicts for future playoff runs in Ballhalla,” the letter reads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The news left some fans frustrated, considering that being \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/valkyries-move-first-playoff-game-to-san-jose-21032074.php\">pushed out of their home \u003c/a>arena has happened to WNBA teams in the past. As Breanna Stewart, a player and vice president for the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, said to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/valkyries-move-first-playoff-game-to-san-jose-21032074.php\">SFGate\u003c/a>, “You don’t see it happening with the NBA.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Coach Natalie Nakase, for her part, said \u003ca href=\"https://www.si.com/wnba/valkyries/valkyries-coach-opens-up-about-unfortunate-playoff-situation\">in a press conference\u003c/a> that the Valkyries are still playing in their territory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Even if we’re in San José, that’s still considered the Bay. We know that they’re going to travel, our fans are going to come,” she said. “For us, we’re still at home.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How to get to SAP Center\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you have never been to SAP Center, you’re in luck: downtown San José is very well connected by several public transit agencies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re coming from the city’s Eastside, you can take the light rail VTA from Alum Rock station straight to San José-Diridon, which is only one block away from SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12055677\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12055677\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/SAPCenterGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/SAPCenterGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/SAPCenterGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/SAPCenterGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The SAP Center sports arena in San José, California, on July 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Caltrain — which runs from San Francisco through San Mateo County to the South Bay — also stops at San José-Diridon. According to a Caltrain news release, the #416 southbound will feature a Valkyries-themed car, giving passengers the chance to win free merch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Coming in from the East Bay? You can take BART and get off at Berryessa/North San José station and then get on a VTA bus — specifically the Rapid 500 line — which will quickly take you straight to SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep in mind that public transportation in San José does not run the whole night. So if you are getting home through transit, be sure of when the last train or bus runs so you don’t get stranded. You can also use \u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/trip-planner/view\">trip planners\u003c/a> to \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/planner\">help\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://511.org/transit\">mark your route\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Watch the game at a bar\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you are unable to make it to a game, there are\u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-guide-to-wnba-watch-parties\"> bars and restaurants in the Bay\u003c/a> that show women’s sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There will likely be more parties announced as we get closer to the Valkyries’ first game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>If you can’t get into SAP Center but still want to join the fun, an \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valkyries/p/DOrhA63kuYt/\">official block party\u003c/a> will take place outside from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kalwpublicmedia/p/DOrp8-AjjSf/\">\u003cstrong>KALW\u003c/strong> in San Francisco\u003c/a> is hosting a watch party, complete with free pizza.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thenewparkway.com/\">\u003cstrong>The New Parkway Theater\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland is showing Wednesday’s game.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.chasecenter.com/events/?artist=GSV\">\u003cstrong>Thrive City \u003c/strong>\u003c/a> (the venue connected to Chase Center) hosted a free watch party for Sunday’s game.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">\u003cstrong>Rikki’s\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in San Francisco’s Castro District (the city’s first bar dedicated to women’s sports)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.zekisbar.com/\">\u003cstrong>Zeki’s Bar\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/whitehorsebar/?hl=en\">\u003cstrong>White Horse\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://line51beer.com/\">\u003cstrong>Line 51 Brewing\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/georgeandwaltsbar/?hl=en\">\u003cstrong>George & Walt’s\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://xingones.com/\">\u003cstrong>Xingones Cantina\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.theacoakland.com/\">\u003cstrong>Athletic Club Oakland\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Fan groups like the \u003cstrong>Valqueeries\u003c/strong>, which is for queer WNBA fans, often host watch parties for away games at local bars like Mother in the Mission District. You can get updates for the next event on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">Valqueeries’ Instagram\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story originally published on Sept. 12, and contains reporting from KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ccabreralomeli\">\u003cem>Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí.\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "injury-ends-valkyries-star-thorntons-season-raising-questions-about-playoff-hopes",
"title": "Injury Ends Valkyries Star Thornton’s Season, Raising Questions About Playoff Hopes",
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"headTitle": "Injury Ends Valkyries Star Thornton’s Season, Raising Questions About Playoff Hopes | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a> forward Kayla Thornton is out for the remainder of the team’s inaugural season after suffering a serious injury during practice earlier this week, the Valkyries announced Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the last few months, Thornton has become a fan favorite among the thousands who visit “Ballhalla” — a nickname for the Chase Center — to watch her and her teammates play. Some of Thornton’s supporters are concerned about what her absence could mean for the team as playoffs approach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for the Valkyries said in a statement that Thornton’s surgery on Friday was successful and that she will begin her rehabilitation process immediately. The team did not confirm whether Thornton is expected to return next season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m just gutted for her,” said Lindsay Myers, one of the team’s many die-hard fans. While Myers resides in Sacramento, she and her wife are proud season ticket holders and frequently travel to San Francisco to watch the Valkyries play. “[Thornton] is having a career season. … For that season to be cut short, it’s really heartbreaking.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s been an incredible season for Thornton. In addition to playing a career-high 30 minutes per game, she was named an All-Star earlier this month for the first time in her nine-year WNBA career. It’s also the first time that Thornton has been in a starting lineup, a “leadership role” that Myers said the forward has flourished in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040673\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1943px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040673\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1943\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg 1943w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-800x549.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1020x700.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-160x110.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1536x1054.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1920x1317.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1943px) 100vw, 1943px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) advances toward the basket during the Valkyries’ home opener at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Myers said she’s worried about the Valkyries’ chances of getting to the playoffs with Thornton off the court. While she has faith in the team’s grit, she said it’s going to be a lot harder as the players deal with unexpected changes to their roster and the loss of a key player.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You’re at a point where you want your team to start really gelling, and that takes leadership and relationships and time,” Myers said. “But these women must have all gone in 100% to go as hard as they’ve gone. … We just have to trust them to keep doing that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since their introduction as the league’s newest team in nearly 20 years, the Valkyries have had an intense season both on and off the court. They sold out 11 home games at the Chase Center and have the ninth-best record in the WNBA at 10–12. They play against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings at “Ballhalla” on Friday.[aside postID=news_12047885 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/golden-state-valkyries.png']There have been some bumps along the way, however. The Valkyries faced criticism from fans earlier this month after Belgian player Julie Vanloo was waived from the team following her temporary departure to play in the EuroBasket Tournament. Shyanne Sellers, another fan favorite, was also cut from the team in May.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With Thornton sidelined, the team could see more changes in the coming weeks. The Valkyries recently added center Iliana Rupert from France, and she is expected to appear in Friday’s game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While Myers said she’s disappointed she won’t see Thornton on the court again this season, she’s still excited to see how the rest of the team performs. One thing she loves about being a Valkyries fan is the community’s support — for both the players and each other.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At a time when there is so much political tension and fear, Myers said she feels fortunate whenever she has the chance to be in the stands, having fun and watching the Valkyries. It’s a source of light during a dark time, she added.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s just an amazing space because we’re at a really perfect nexus of appreciating female athletes, sports and just the beauty of this game,” Myers said. “Having it be in our backyard is so fantastic.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Fan favorite Kayla Thornton is out for the rest of the Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural WNBA season after suffering a serious injury during practice.",
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"title": "Injury Ends Valkyries Star Thornton’s Season, Raising Questions About Playoff Hopes | KQED",
"description": "Fan favorite Kayla Thornton is out for the rest of the Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural WNBA season after suffering a serious injury during practice.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a> forward Kayla Thornton is out for the remainder of the team’s inaugural season after suffering a serious injury during practice earlier this week, the Valkyries announced Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the last few months, Thornton has become a fan favorite among the thousands who visit “Ballhalla” — a nickname for the Chase Center — to watch her and her teammates play. Some of Thornton’s supporters are concerned about what her absence could mean for the team as playoffs approach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for the Valkyries said in a statement that Thornton’s surgery on Friday was successful and that she will begin her rehabilitation process immediately. The team did not confirm whether Thornton is expected to return next season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m just gutted for her,” said Lindsay Myers, one of the team’s many die-hard fans. While Myers resides in Sacramento, she and her wife are proud season ticket holders and frequently travel to San Francisco to watch the Valkyries play. “[Thornton] is having a career season. … For that season to be cut short, it’s really heartbreaking.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s been an incredible season for Thornton. In addition to playing a career-high 30 minutes per game, she was named an All-Star earlier this month for the first time in her nine-year WNBA career. It’s also the first time that Thornton has been in a starting lineup, a “leadership role” that Myers said the forward has flourished in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040673\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1943px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040673\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1943\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg 1943w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-800x549.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1020x700.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-160x110.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1536x1054.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1920x1317.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1943px) 100vw, 1943px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) advances toward the basket during the Valkyries’ home opener at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Myers said she’s worried about the Valkyries’ chances of getting to the playoffs with Thornton off the court. While she has faith in the team’s grit, she said it’s going to be a lot harder as the players deal with unexpected changes to their roster and the loss of a key player.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You’re at a point where you want your team to start really gelling, and that takes leadership and relationships and time,” Myers said. “But these women must have all gone in 100% to go as hard as they’ve gone. … We just have to trust them to keep doing that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since their introduction as the league’s newest team in nearly 20 years, the Valkyries have had an intense season both on and off the court. They sold out 11 home games at the Chase Center and have the ninth-best record in the WNBA at 10–12. They play against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings at “Ballhalla” on Friday.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>There have been some bumps along the way, however. The Valkyries faced criticism from fans earlier this month after Belgian player Julie Vanloo was waived from the team following her temporary departure to play in the EuroBasket Tournament. Shyanne Sellers, another fan favorite, was also cut from the team in May.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With Thornton sidelined, the team could see more changes in the coming weeks. The Valkyries recently added center Iliana Rupert from France, and she is expected to appear in Friday’s game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While Myers said she’s disappointed she won’t see Thornton on the court again this season, she’s still excited to see how the rest of the team performs. One thing she loves about being a Valkyries fan is the community’s support — for both the players and each other.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At a time when there is so much political tension and fear, Myers said she feels fortunate whenever she has the chance to be in the stands, having fun and watching the Valkyries. It’s a source of light during a dark time, she added.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s just an amazing space because we’re at a really perfect nexus of appreciating female athletes, sports and just the beauty of this game,” Myers said. “Having it be in our backyard is so fantastic.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla",
"title": "Golden State Valkyries: Level Up Your Bay Area WNBA Fandom With Our Primer",
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"headTitle": "Golden State Valkyries: Level Up Your Bay Area WNBA Fandom With Our Primer | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries — the WNBA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12039501/wnbas-newest-team-golden-state-valkyries-kick-off-first-season\">first new team\u003c/a> in nearly 20 years — are halfway through their inaugural season, and the Bay Area’s hunger for the team has been apparent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So far, 11 home games at Chase Center have been \u003ca href=\"https://frontofficesports.com/valkyries-have-stunned-the-wnba-nothing-has-held-us-back/#:~:text=The%20team%20sold%20out%20its,rebrand%20of%20the%20Chase%20Center.\">sold out\u003c/a>, with thousands of fans repping the team in its now-signature royal violet. On \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/warriors/comments/1lfu3np/why_is_the_valkyries_crowd_so_much_better_than/\">social\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.threads.com/@beltzner/post/DLG5Ur_RgiP/holy-moly-the-chase-center-sounds-as-loud-for-the-valkyries-at-least-on-the-broa\">media\u003c/a>, you can see opposing players and their fans alike have remarked on the intense excitement in the arena.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Valkyries play their next game on Friday at Chase Center. \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/standings\">The Dallas Wings are currently the 12th best team\u003c/a> in the WNBA, while the Valkyries are the ninth best with a 10–12 record.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For many people, a WNBA team in the Bay Area has been a long time coming. Third-generation San Franciscan Megan Doherty-Baker said her family has been following local sports history for years. Her grandfather was even a sports photographer for the \u003cem>San Francisco Examiner. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We just all grew up in my family knowing that to show love for this place was to be really connected to the teams that we loved too,” she said. “So it extends now to the Valkyries.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047879\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047879\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00275_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00275_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00275_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00275_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Megan Doherty-Baker, a ValQueeries organizer, chats with fellow fans at a Valkyries watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland on July 12, 2025. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For others, like this reporter, basketball knowledge goes as far as \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_QRHJoXXYw&list=RDA_QRHJoXXYw&start_radio=1&pp=ygUZZ2V0IHlvdXIgaGVhZCBpbiB0aGUgZ2FtZaAHAQ%3D%3D\">Troy Bolton’s angst in \u003cem>High School Musical\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. But the Valkyries’ arrival in the Bay makes this season the perfect opportunity to get into the rapidly growing world of the WNBA.[pullquote size='medium' align='right']🏀 \u003cstrong>GLOSSARY: Valkyries \u003c/strong>are female \u003ca href=\"https://www.pbs.org/video/valkyries-the-real-story-behind-these-warriors-of-legend-ibrnw7/\">warriors who guide the souls of the dead in Norse mythology\u003c/a>. (If you are less of a mythology fan, it’s what \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNvUjCNYUrk\">Tessa Thompson’s character is in \u003cem>Thor\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>.)\u003c/em>[/pullquote]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m not a sports person. I didn’t grow up playing sports,” San Francisco resident Robin Yang said. “Then a couple of years ago, when we found out that we were getting our team here, I was like, ‘Oh, I would love to be like, on the ground floor of something like that.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yang’s basketball “hyperfixation” developed quickly. She has been to six of the home games so far.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“People love to find reasons to hate on the Bay Area,” Yang said. Supporting the Valkyries has been a way for her to take a stand and say, ‘No, there are really cool things happening here.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Are you itching to join the Valkyries hype but not sure where to start? KQED has you covered with a comprehensive primer explaining the world of the WNBA for very, \u003cem>very \u003c/em>new fans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040692\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040692\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1243\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1-800x497.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1-1020x634.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1-160x99.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1-1536x955.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1-1920x1193.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Golden State Valkyries at their home opener at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>This is a long guide, so if you prefer you can \u003cstrong>jump straight to key questions like\u003c/strong>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#valkyries-schedule\">What is the Golden State Valkyries’ schedule, and how do I get tickets?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">What should I know about my first time at Chase Center?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#storylines\">What are the storylines this season?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#wnba-fandom\">How do I get involved with the WNBA fandom?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"roster\">\u003c/a>What does the roster for the Valkyries look like? \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The team is made up of 12 players and coached by Natalie Nakase. You can learn more about the team and their game highlights by \u003ca href=\"https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/24130218/\">clicking through the panels\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://flo.uri.sh/visualisation/24130218/embed\" title=\"Interactive or visual content\" class=\"flourish-embed-iframe\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px;\" sandbox=\"allow-same-origin allow-forms allow-scripts allow-downloads allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" width=\"100%\" height=\"500\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 100%!;margin-top: 4px!important;text-align: right!important\">\n\u003cp>\u003ca class=\"flourish-credit\" style=\"text-decoration: none!important\" href=\"https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/24130218/?utm_source=embed&utm_campaign=visualisation/24130218\" target=\"_top\">\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 105px!important;height: 16px!important;border: none!important;margin: 0!important\" src=\"https://public.flourish.studio/resources/made_with_flourish.svg\" alt=\"Made with Flourish\">\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>As the Valkyries’ veteran player, Tiffany “Tip” Hayes is a crucial presence, explained Portland-based designer Alexandria Haigh, who is also one of the founders of women’s basketball publication \u003ca href=\"https://www.flagrantmag.com/pages/about-us\">Flagrant Magazine\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“For both the team and the fans, having that vet presence is really important to sort of draw the connection between the old WNBA and a new team,” Haigh said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Other players to keep an eye on include fan favorites like Kayla Thornton, who became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/kayla-thornton-consistent-scorer-valkyries-20759239.php\">first-time All-Star\u003c/a> this season, Temi Fagbenle, Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But all of the players have their own passionate stans. “These are like Renaissance women,” said San Francisco’s Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely, co-host of the podcast \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valkyriessayless/\">Valkyries Say Less.\u003c/a> “They’ve got their fashion lines, they’re authors … They’re coming with excellent stats from either their time in the WNBA or college or from overseas.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Why does the team keep changing? \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you have already been to a few Valkyries games, you may have noticed that the team is not the same from game to game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For example, in the past few weeks, many Valkyries players went to play for their home country in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/valkyries-have-to-defy-expectations-again-following-eurobasket-exodus/\">EuroBasket Tournament\u003c/a>, prompting the team to temporarily sign new players. However, not every player who left is guaranteed a spot when they return. In early July, Belgian basketball player Julie Vanloo, who was part of the winning team in the European tournament, had just landed in San Francisco when she found out that the Valkyries had waived her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040681\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040681\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1304\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed-800x522.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed-1020x665.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed-1536x1001.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed-1920x1252.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries guard Julie Vanloo (35) advances toward the basket at the Valkyries’ home opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“After traveling 18 hours back to the Bay, I missed the fan ceremony and the chance to share that special medal moment with my family and friends,” Vanloo, who the Los Angeles Sparks snatched up, wrote on \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DLk_ORxhfxK/?img_index=1\">Instagram\u003c/a>. “Honestly, that stung. I understand it’s business, but nothing prepares you for the loneliness that comes with getting cut.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries have drummed up some decent amount of anger for some of their choices, including waiving another favorite, Shyanne Sellers, said Oakland and Chicago-based journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-guide-to-being-a-golden\">who writes Rough Notes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As women’s basketball gets more popular and players get more visibility, attachment to certain people grows — and so does disappointment and sadness when they get cut.[pullquote size='medium' align='right']🏀 \u003cstrong>GLOSSARY: Waived \u003c/strong>is when a player is \u003ca href=\"https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2025/05/06/what-does-it-mean-to-be-waived-wnba/83472043007/\">released before their contract ends\u003c/a>. There is a 48-hour period in which another team can take over that player’s contract and add them to \u003cem>their\u003c/em> team. If this doesn’t happen in 48 hours, the player becomes a free agent and can sign with a new team.[/pullquote]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The WNBA is still figuring a lot of things out,” Goldberg-Safir said. “One of the things that they’re still figuring out is how to waive players in this moment, when the league is so popular and people are so invested.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are truly not enough spots for the number of really talented folks that are playing in the league or trying to play in the league.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>WNBA teams are allowed a maximum of 12 players, while NBA rosters typically carry 15.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Not only is there a lot more pressure for (players) to be physically able to play every single game, but it means that you can’t essentially train a bunch of additional people that can come in and be easily slotted into the team,” Yang said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047881\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047881\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland on July 12, 2025. The fan group, ValQueeries, hosted a watch party. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047878\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047878\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00163_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00163_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00163_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00163_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Meggie B. (center, no last name given) watches the Valkyries in anticipation at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>This year, members of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association are renegotiating their \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnbpa.com/thecba\">collective bargaining agreement\u003c/a> — and one of their demands is expanding team rosters, Goldberg-Safir said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The players are also bargaining for better pay, working off the long-time \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay/2025-07-01/ep-4-valkyries-and-the-gender-pay-gap\">disparity between women’s and men’s sports stars\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The W is making more money than ever,” Yang said. WNBA teams increased in value by \u003ca href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/24/sport/wnba-franchise-increase-value-sportico-spt\">an average of 180% over the last year\u003c/a>, with the Valkyries valued the highest at $500 million.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Do I need to understand basketball stats? \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>When you go to a basketball game, you will see a flurry of numbers on large screens that can feel almost Wall Street-esque. Those are the player’s stats, and they can be quite overwhelming.[aside postID=news_12040665 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1020x700.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I would say you don’t have to know too much about basketball to be able to enjoy it in person,” Haigh said. “You can kind of tell when something goes right and when something goes wrong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s a lot of details that can muddy those waters, but don’t obsess over stats and rules too much if you’re trying to just go watch and see if you enjoy it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Haigh said that the stats can help understand a player’s performance and their value in the WNBA, so to speak. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/popups/Glossary.asp?s=basketball\">major stat categories\u003c/a> to know are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>PPG \u003c/strong>is \u003cstrong>Points Per Game: \u003c/strong>The average number of a player’s points per game.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>RPG\u003c/strong> is \u003cstrong>Rebounds Per Game\u003c/strong>: The average number of a player’s rebounds. A rebound is when a player collects a missed shot on the offensive or defensive end of the court.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>APG \u003c/strong>is \u003cstrong>Assists Per Game: \u003c/strong>The average number of assists a player makes. An assist is the last pass to a teammate that directly leads to a field goal.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040680\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040680\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans cheer as the Golden State Valkyries score at their home opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Learn more about positions in basketball:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_4CymXARWQ\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"valkyries-schedule\">\u003c/a>When do the Valkyries play? \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For the current season, each team will \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/faq\">play 44 games\u003c/a>. Here is \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule\">what the schedule\u003c/a> for upcoming Valkyries games looks like.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Home games\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Friday, July 25 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Las Vegas Aces\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Saturday, Aug. 9 at 5:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Los Angeles Sparks\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Monday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Connecticut Sun\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sunday, Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs Atlanta Dream\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Saturday, Aug. 30 at 5:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Washington Mystics\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sunday, Aug. 31 at 5:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Indiana Fever\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. New York Liberty\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Saturday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040685\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040685\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A fan cheers after the Golden State Valkyries scored during their home opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Away games\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sunday, July 27 at 10 a.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Connecticut Sun \u003cstrong>in Connecticut\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Tuesday, July 29 at 4:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream \u003cstrong>in Georgia\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Thursday, July 31 at 4:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Washington Mystics \u003cstrong>in D.C.\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Friday, Aug. 1 at 4:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs.Chicago Sky \u003cstrong>in Illinois\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sunday, Aug. 3 at 3 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Las Vegas Aces \u003cstrong>in Nevada\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 4:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Washington Mystics \u003cstrong>in D.C.\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Friday, Aug. 15 at 4:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Chicago Sky \u003cstrong>in Illinois\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Friday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury \u003cstrong>in Arizona\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sunday, Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings \u003cstrong>in Texas\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Seattle Storm \u003cstrong>in Washington\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Thursday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx \u003cstrong>in Minnesota\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>How do I get tickets to home games? \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can get tickets for home games at \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/tickets\">the Valkyries’ official website\u003c/a>, where options include \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/tickets/mini-plans\">mini-plans for multiple games \u003c/a>or season tickets. Season ticket holders become part of the \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/founding-guard\">“Founding Guard,\u003c/a>” with access to perks like on-court appearances.[aside postID=arts_13977457 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/RIKKIS-0326-fave.jpg']The most economical option is \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2025&month=all&location=home&opponent=all\">the single game tickets\u003c/a>, which are relatively more affordable than Warriors tickets. The upcoming Dallas Wings game is pricier than the last home game against the Phoenix Mercury, however. \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/golden-state-valkyries-vs-dallas-wings-san-francisco-california-07-25-2025/event/1C00618BB84925EB?brand=valkyries&artistid=3369949&wt.mc_id=WNBA_TEAM_GS_SCHED_PG_GM12&utm_source=WNBA.com&utm_medium=client&utm_campaign=WNBA_TEAM_GS&utm_content=SCHED_PG_GM12\">The cheapest ticket for the Friday game\u003c/a> against the Dallas Wings is around $125.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some fans who have season tickets may sell individual games to other people. You may be able to find these offers on social media sites like Facebook groups. Doherty-Baker said fan groups like the Valqueeries, which she helps run, may also have a quick connection to people who are looking to sell or just generously give out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(But be careful, and verify the person before sending any money since \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11956083/taylor-swift-levis-stadium-eras-santa-clara-tickets#taylorswifttickets\">ticket scams have been common in recent years\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040686\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040686\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mychal Threets takes a photo with E-40 after the WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Are there any watch parties in the Bay Area?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you are craving the vibe of cheering fans but tickets may be out of your reach, there may be a local group or venue that is hosting a (possibly free) watch party.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Thrive Center\u003c/strong> (the venue connected to Chase Center) often shows the game on a large screen outside the arena.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Fan groups like \u003cstrong>the Valqueeries\u003c/strong>, which is for queer WNBA fans, often host watch parties for away games at local bars like Mother in the Mission District. You can get updates for the next event on \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">the Valqueeries’ Instagram\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Rikki’s \u003c/strong>in San Francisco’s Castro District is the area’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">first bar dedicated to women’s sports\u003c/a> and aims to show every Valkyries game.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Line 51 Brewing in Oakland has two watch parties on \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golden-state-valkyries-watch-party-line-51-tickets-1364587902149?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">July 25 (home game)\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golden-state-valkyries-watch-party-line-51-tickets-1364587902149?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">July 31 (away game.) \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>George & Walt’s \u003c/strong>in Oakland is \u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/georgeandwaltsbar/?hl=en\">a woman-owned sports bar\u003c/a>\u003c/strong> with a watch party on July 27 at 10 a,m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Line 51 Brewing\u003c/strong> in Oakland has two watch parties on \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golden-state-valkyries-watch-party-line-51-tickets-1364587902149?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">July 25 (home game)\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golden-state-valkyries-watch-party-line-51-tickets-1364587902149?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">July 31\u003c/a> (away game).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Xingones Cantina\u003c/strong> in Oakland is hosting watch parties on July 29 at 4:30 p.m., on August 3 at 3 p.m., on August 22 at 7 p.m. and on September 11 at 7 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047880\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047880\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00321_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00321_TV_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00321_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00321_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Miles Ott watches the game at a Valkyries watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland on July 12, 2025. The fan group, ValQueeries, hosted a watch party. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Where can I watch the Valkyries online or on TV?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The TV broadcast schedule for the Valkyries can be found on \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule/broadcast-schedule\">the official website\u003c/a>. But it’s straight up confusing, because it’s not consistent and rights to stream vary from game to game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For example, some games can sometimes be watched on KPIX+ in the Bay Area or KMAX in Sacramento. Other games may be on ION, which is a TV network and you can find what channel it is on locally on its \u003ca href=\"https://www.ionwnba.com/\">website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can stream some games on \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.fubo.tv/stream/wnba/?irad=1707172&irmp=5579095&sharedid=PtnrUS_TA_Editorial_HTW_Articles\">Fubo\u003c/a> or even buy a League Pass to get \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass\">access to more platforms\u003c/a>. The Athletic has \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6353404/2025/05/16/wnba-how-to-watch/\">a guide on some platforms to check out\u003c/a> and how to navigate WNBA schedules.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">\u003c/a>What should I know before going to Chase Center?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040691\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1873px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040691\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1873\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed.jpg 1873w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-800x569.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-1020x726.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-1536x1093.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1873px) 100vw, 1873px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans pose for a photo outside of Chase Center, following the WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Los Angeles Sparks on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Basketball games move fast. They are around two to two and a half hours long and split into quarters.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There is usually a halftime show during the Chase Center games, featuring performances by local acts. E-40 performed at the inaugural game against the Los Angeles Sparks.[pullquote size='medium' align='right']🏀 \u003cstrong>GLOSSARY: Ballhalla \u003c/strong>is what the Valkyries have been calling Chase Center. It’s a reference to \u003ca href=\"https://www.history.com/articles/viking-valhalla-valkyrie-afterlife\">Valhalla\u003c/a>, a type of afterlife for warriors overlooked by the Norse god Odin.[/pullquote]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You may also spot icons in women’s sports like \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/NBSMediaLIVE/status/1939482658993824234\">soccer star Megan Rapinoe\u003c/a> and see support from the Valkyries’ NBA counterparts, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLgbcQyxEef/\">Warriors stars Stephen Curry\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/warriors-valkyries-brandin-podziemski-20421849.php\">Brandin Podziemski\u003c/a>, who has been a regular cheerleader of the new team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12046841/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-tour-san-francisco-chase-center-parking-bag-policy#chase-center-bag-policy\">a thorough guide\u003c/a> on what to expect when \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12046841/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-tour-san-francisco-chase-center-parking-bag-policy#chase-center-bag-policy\">heading to a concert at Chase Center\u003c/a>. Here are some of the highlights.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Golden State Valkyries Merch\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you arrive at the home games early enough, you may also be able to snag some complimentary merch handed out at the gates or on your seat in the stadium. For example, the first 10,000 fans to tonight’s game can get \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/game/1022500138/PHX-vs-GSV\">a Valkyries wrist pouch\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you are on the hunt for merch — \u003ca href=\"https://shop.valkyries.com/en/\">the Valkyries have plenty\u003c/a> in its \u003ca href=\"https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/olivia-rodrigo-prince-hole-purple-pop-music-history\">pop-girl purple\u003c/a> — check out the \u003ca href=\"https://www.chasecenter.com/plan-your-visit/a-to-z-guide/\">stands\u003c/a> at Portals 10, 21, 41, 42, 47 and 59.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12047938\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/cc-portals.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/cc-portals.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/cc-portals-160x100.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/cc-portals-1536x960.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There is also the Golden State Shop right outside Chase Center, which \u003ca href=\"https://goldenstate.com/shop/\">stays open late after games\u003c/a>. Keep in mind: The line for the merch after a game will be \u003cem>long\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Merch can be found only online, like the very adorable Peanuts collab with the WNBA that features \u003ca href=\"https://www.homage.com/collections/wnba-x-peanuts/products/peanuts-peppermint-patty-x-golden-state-valkyries\">Peppermint Patty with the Valkyries’ logo\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047882\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047882\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00453_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00453_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00453_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00453_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans watch the Valkyries in anticipation at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland on July 12. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Chase Center bag policy\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Backpacks (except for single-compartment drawstring bags) of any kind are prohibited from entering the arena. Any other bag you bring, including diaper bags, must be smaller than 14 by 14 by 6 inches.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bags that do not meet the requirements can be checked at one of Chase’s two bag check locations for $10. Bag check is at the corner of 16th Street and Terry A. Francois Boulevard.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here are some more things \u003ca href=\"https://www.chasecenter.com/a-to-z-guide\">you cannot bring into Chase Center\u003c/a>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Bottles and cans.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Refillable water bottles or cups.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Signs over 11 x 17 inches or attached to any pole or stick.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Masks that cover the whole face. (Face coverings to lower your risks of catching — or spreading — COVID-19, like N95 masks, are allowed. Limited face paint is accepted.)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Lights, tripods and professional recording equipment. Flash photography is not allowed.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Noise-making devices, such as air horns, whistles or cowbells.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Weapons and self-defense items of any kind, including mace, knives and tasers.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Selfie sticks.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You \u003cem>can \u003c/em>bring:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Baby bags, plastic bottles and formula.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Strollers that can be checked in at Portals 13 or 52 during the event.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Umbrellas.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Parking at and near Chase Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Chase Center has \u003ca href=\"https://chasecenter.com/plan-your-visit/transportation/parking/\">a guide to its parking garage\u003c/a>. The venue’s website also refers fans to the \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/search?kind=destination&id=74629&%243p=a_hasoffers&%24affiliate_json=http%3A%2F%2Ftracking.spothero.com%2Faff_c%3Foffer_id%3D1%26aff_id%3D1753%26source%3Dchasecenter%26aff_sub2%3Dparkingpage%26aff_sub3%3Dlink%26format%3Djson&_branch_match_id=1355649275202063070&utm_source=Partnerships&utm_campaign=Tune_Platform&utm_medium=paid+advertising&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA32SwW7DIAyGnyYc20KaVp2EpmnVjrtUOyNCnMKaAAOyqZc%2B%2B0y6pe2mTcoB%2Fzbm8%2B%2FolHy8m8%2Bjd0lDcDPp%2Fawz9jBPkXr2%2FLYDer93smOckYItS8%2Bl0DK6toUQSVQaeuA6dyEHYxveQEzGymScJSfVGXUQpuF0weolpU1dyrJSdKNozRpWYQgLtiHRDUEBV9gYFNgEgQyhO7ctyoeCPeH3CxG1C2RRYk2VAYtye4VYsNV4QApMUAwnqhz%2FyzUWu5iEGkIAq45442W3neR32Q2A2iIrSO5sI8NR%2BKHuTERUTGEmailk25rOyARf0jgvnq8mRnn0GVVGvpE5JV4mzW9GJbdQHJHyaqY3xGt0djRv8i4FqXA9%2B9lkonI96nhHKLTuh0VZPgfrqvybN5fFoc7IXobc38s9XBIlJs6LWrUu9DJhnNmIRn7%2Ba5%2FkylW%2BIDj9ernCv%2BMUAOkCthd1cB8RAn%2FUwfXwCT%2FpNYK9AgAA&view=dl\">third-party parking website SpotHero\u003c/a>, where you can find cheaper parking options farther away. So if you’re driving to the arena but haven’t secured your parking yet, consider wearing comfier shoes for the walk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040673\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1943px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040673\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1943\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg 1943w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-800x549.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1020x700.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-160x110.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1536x1054.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1920x1317.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1943px) 100vw, 1943px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) advances toward the basket during the Valkyries’ home opener at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber at Chase Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Getting to the venue using a rideshare service will likely be pretty smooth. It’s getting out of the area \u003cem>after\u003c/em> a game that is almost certainly going to be a challenge. And due to surge pricing, it will also be far more expensive to get an Uber or Lyft as you exit the venue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are \u003ca href=\"https://images.ctfassets.net/0lzgl3qjkmm1/6k8OJ6yu4tTfjV4wHsmKTG/0b4cc696d2b3f2360ad34bbc16ffbffd/uber-map.png\">multiple designated pickup and drop-off zones\u003c/a> located within one block of Chase Center. Upon arrival, use one of the designated passenger loading zones (white curbs) along Terry A. Francois Boulevard for a safe curbside drop-off. As you leave the venue, rideshare apps will automatically display the best places to get picked up within a five-minute walk radius.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Public transit to Chase Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Public transit schedules can always be subject to change. Check the timings for your route on the day of the event and be sure of your very last service home. You can also read \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12046841/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-tour-san-francisco-chase-center-parking-bag-policy#chase-center-parking\">KQED’s guide on transportation at Chase Center\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This map also gives a quick overview of the Muni, BART and Caltrain stops nearby:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12047939\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_MapCC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_Map_1080x1080.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_MapCC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_Map_1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_MapCC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_Map_1080x1080-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Any Chase Center patron who shows their event ticket at Muni turnstiles and boarding platforms can \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/fares/your-chase-center-event-ticket-your-muni-fare\">ride Muni without charge\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Accessibility at Chase Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Chase Center addresses questions about accessibility in \u003ca href=\"https://www.chasecenter.com/a-to-z-guide\">its online A-to-Z Guide\u003c/a>, which includes information about accessible parking, hearing assistance, ADA-compliant restrooms and service animals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The venue said guests can request complimentary wheelchair escorts by visiting the kiosks located at Portal 13 or by texting 833-CC4-FANS.[pullquote size='medium' align='right']🏀 \u003cstrong>GLOSSARY: The W\u003c/strong> refers to the WNBA. Another major women’s basketball league is \u003ca href=\"https://www.unrivaled.basketball/\">Unrivaled\u003c/a>.[/pullquote]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To schedule an American Sign Language interpreter, guests should contact guestexperiences@warriors.com ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can email guestexperiences@warriors.com for more details.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Accessible drop-offs and pickups are along the curb of \u003ca href=\"https://www.chasecenter.com/plan-your-visit/visitor-info/\">16th Street and Terry A. Francois Boulevard\u003c/a>, with accessible entry and exit from the East Entrance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040682\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040682\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans cheer as the Golden State Valkyries score during their WNBA season opener. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"storylines\">\u003c/a>What are the storylines?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>New team, new coach, new dynamics\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since this is a brand-new team, the Valkyries have never \u003cem>played \u003c/em>together before, Doherty-Baker said. As a fan, it makes it all the more exciting to see how the team figures out its dynamics and relationships in real time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They learn so freaking quickly,” Doherty-Baker said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px\" cite=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@breezyhall_/video/7520853622213643533\" data-video-id=\"7520853622213643533\">\n\u003csection>\u003ca title=\"@breezyhall_\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@breezyhall_?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@breezyhall_\u003c/a> why are we shaking each other hand so aggressively 😂😂😂 \u003ca title=\"fyp\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#fyp\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"foryou\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryou?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#foryou\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"breezyhall\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/breezyhall?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#breezyhall\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"wnba\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/wnba?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#wnba\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"valkyries\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/valkyries?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#valkyries\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"♬ Illegal - PinkPantheress\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/music/Illegal-7502057134566525713?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">♬ Illegal – PinkPantheress\u003c/a>\u003c/section>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>[tiktok]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Valkyries really are kind of a headline in the 2025 WNBA season,” Goldberg-Safir said. For California basketball fans, people “expected the team to do well. I don’t think they expected the team to do \u003cem>so \u003c/em>well … the vibes are truly pretty incredible … (and) there’s a number of players that are really outperforming their previous seasons.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px\" cite=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@laeticiaamihere/video/7520852847940963614\" data-video-id=\"7520852847940963614\">\n\u003csection>\u003ca title=\"@laeticiaamihere\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@laeticiaamihere?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@laeticiaamihere\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"valkyries\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/valkyries?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#valkyries\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"dubbs\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dubbs?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#dubbs\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"♬ Bunna Summa - BunnaB\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/music/Bunna-Summa-7492171577455593473?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">♬ Bunna Summa – BunnaB\u003c/a>\u003c/section>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>[tiktok]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Goldberg-Safir added that \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-i-wrote-about-the-leagues\">Nakase\u003c/a> is “proving herself so far to be a really, really good coach.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I love seeing coaches who are former players, women and particularly women of color,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12038786\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12038786\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries’ Head Coach Natalie Nakase speaks with the press during training camp held at the Sephora Performance Center in Oakland on May 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Who are the teams to beat?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever are strong teams that are playing well this season, Goldberg-Safir said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many are hoping to beat the New York Liberty in particular, since last year the Liberty won their first-ever WNBA championship. But it was a controversial win due to a “highly contested foul call at the end of the game” against the Minnesota Lynx, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As Bay Area fans, this is a good moment to shut them up,” she said with a laugh.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Honoring the history of women’s basketball in the Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For Goldberg-Safir, “the Golden State Valkyries coming to the Bay is like this lifelong dream-come-true in a lot of ways,” and she immediately dove into the history of women’s basketball in the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She learned that the Valkyries are, in fact, \u003cem>not\u003c/em> the first professional women’s team to play in San Francisco. That would be the San Francisco Pioneers, which played in the Women’s Professional Basketball League from 1979 to 1981. In fact, last week’s game honored the Pioneers, where \u003ca href=\"https://www.thenexthoops.com/wbl/pioneers-wbl-valkyries-wnba/\">several of the players reunited\u003c/a>.[aside postID=news_12047979 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_013_BF_KQED.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Most of (the players) are still around,” said Goldberg-Safir, who has been \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bounce-honoring-the-san-francisco-pioneers-live-in-person-tickets-1420298634449?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">dedicated to documenting the history of the Pioneers\u003c/a>. “They really wanna talk about their stories and share their experiences because they really helped pave the way for pro women’s basketball and the WNBA.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the larger Northern California area, there were also \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xngDgvMK28o\">the Sacramento Monarchs\u003c/a>, which played from the inaugural 1997 WNBA season to 2009. (They also had fans rocking purple.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s a lot of nostalgia for that and even sadness that they ever left that area,” said Doherty-Baker, who went to the games as a kid.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"wnba-fandom\">\u003c/a>What should I know about fan culture?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“WNBA fans are very, very passionate,” Haigh said. “A lot of them have been (here) since the inception years ago. They love their teams.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Goldberg-Safir said that she sees a variety of reasons why people get into the WNBA. It can range from basketball stats, political history or even player fashion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px\" cite=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@brwsports/video/7515963003137707295\" data-video-id=\"7515963003137707295\">\n\u003csection>\u003ca title=\"@brwsports\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@brwsports?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@brwsports\u003c/a> 🤩 (Via @Golden State Valkyries) \u003ca title=\"wnba\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/wnba?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#wnba\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"womensbasketball\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/womensbasketball?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#womensbasketball\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"fashion\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fashion?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#fashion\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"tunnelfits\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tunnelfits?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#tunnelfits\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"♬ Under Pressure - bleacherreport\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/music/Under-Pressure-7398336470773189418?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">♬ Under Pressure – bleacherreport\u003c/a>\u003c/section>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>“There are a lot of folks who are finding fandom in the WNBA that haven’t felt welcomed or included in sports spaces before,” Goldberg-Safir said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Fans do like to know who is dating who\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yang, the basketball fan from San Francisco, said there was a specific “inciting incident” that led to her piqued interest in the WNBA. It was a show where a comedian put together a PowerPoint of all of the ways the WNBA was better than the NBA, with the primary point being because all of the players are dating each other.[pullquote size='medium' align='right']🏀 \u003cstrong>GLOSSARY: MNBA\u003c/strong> — short for the Men’s National Basketball Association — is what some fans slyly call the NBA.[/pullquote]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s that kind of stuff that you’re like, ‘Oh, there’s \u003cem>stories \u003c/em>here,” Yang said. “It’s not just, like, who’s winning.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I had a lot of people be like, ‘The WNBA is my reality TV,” Doherty-Baker said. “I think it is a really great way for folks (for whom) sports hasn’t been their jam to come in with an interest in the players.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040679\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040679\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fágbénlé (14) makes a basket during the first quarter. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>It’s more than just the NBA …\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Haigh emphasized the importance of looking at the WNBA as “truly its own league” rather than an “extension of the NBA.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One common — and sexist — criticism of the WNBA is that it’s not as fun “because they don’t dunk.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As a fan of both leagues, I don’t think that dunking makes the NBA miles and miles better than the W,” Haigh said. “There’s this idea that we should lower the rims in the W so they can dunk, and it’s just this weird obsession with dunking that I just frankly don’t understand.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>… and it’s more than just one player\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever has been a major star in the women’s basketball world, but you will likely get an eye roll from a long-time fan for crediting all of the WNBA’s success to just her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“(Clark) has done a lot, but the talent has been there. The skills, the vibes, the fans — they have been there since before Caitlin,” Haigh said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There is also the coverage and commentary around Clark that is worth keeping in mind. \u003ca href=\"https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/study-suggests-racial-bias-angel-reese-caitlin-clark-debate-examines-how-social-media\">A March study by Rice University\u003c/a> analyzed thousands of tweets and found that comments about Clark, who is white, tend to be more positive when compared to comments about fellow WNBA star Angel Reese, who is Black.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are people who are sort of using women’s basketball as a kind of proxy to express racist agendas,” Goldberg-Safir said. “And that can oftentimes look like this emphatic support of specific white players as sort of a white savior role.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Clark said \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/40348389/caitlin-clark-speaks-racist-misogynistic-comments\">she denounced racist comments\u003c/a>, adding that “People should not be using my name to push those agendas. It’s disappointing. It’s not acceptable.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>WNBA fans value inclusivity\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Goldberg-Safir said WNBA fans have a vested interest in social justice — a cause players have championed within the league, especially around \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-announces-a-2020-season-dedicated-to-social-justice\">racial justice\u003c/a> and queer visibility.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Raina Mast, San Francisco resident and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valkyriessayless/\">Valkyries Say Less podcast\u003c/a> cohost, said she will see people at protests with Valkyries gear, and then hop on the Muni towards the Chase Center for the game the same day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It “is just so telling of what the Bay Area is about,” said Mast, whose father even played in the NBA.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The WNBA has evolved since its inception, said Goldberg-Safir: “More queer, more political, more proudly Black-led.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“A lot of our elders, queer elders, lesbians, former basketball players, people who have been in the community for a long time as coaches or family members, those are the folks that have been around and stuck around,” Goldberg-Safir said. “It’s really important to continue to include those people actively and to learn from them about their knowledge of the WNBA.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040690\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1899px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040690\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1899\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed.jpg 1899w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed-800x562.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed-1020x716.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed-160x112.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed-1536x1078.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1899px) 100vw, 1899px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jhunehl Fortaleza, left, dressed as a Valkyrie, dances outside of Chase Center, following the WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Los Angeles Sparks on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Representation of the players and coach Naskase has been big for young people too, said Hutchinson-Szekely, Mast’s co-host – who is also a teacher at a school with a large Asian American population.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It was really incredible to see the impact of that on the students, when we first had Kaitlyn Chen,” she said. “I had a student who came up to me and was elated about the fact that her dad bought season tickets, and she got a Kaitlyn Chen jersey … and how connected that made [the student] feel to the team and to her culture.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Queer fandom is a major part of WNBA culture, leading to fan groups like Doherty-Baker’s Valqueeries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The amount of times I’ve heard from other queer fans, like ‘I just wanna make queer friends,’” she said. “You would think in the Bay it would be easier, because there’s so many of us here, but I find that that’s not really the case.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I can be really shy. I would just encourage anyone who’s thinking about it to just say ‘hi.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a moment of political, economic and strife, it “feels really good” to be a part of “something bigger than yourself,” Yang said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040684\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040684\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans cheer during the Golden State Valkyries’ WNBA season opener against the Los Angeles Sparks. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s really cool to be walking into Chase Center on a game day and seeing all these families, all these older queer groups of friends or couples, all these people of color,” Yang said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I was taking the 22 across the city into Chase Center, and I just remember watching people get on the bus and like the bus becoming more and more saturated with this color. It just felt really, really wonderful to be in that presence.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yang said a major part of that feeling can be attributed to the fans and the way the Valkyries were rolled out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It allows the fans to buy into that as well and be like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s who we are,’” Yang said. “‘We’re gonna support you, like you are the future champions that we hope you are.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story was originally published on July 14.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries — the WNBA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12039501/wnbas-newest-team-golden-state-valkyries-kick-off-first-season\">first new team\u003c/a> in nearly 20 years — are halfway through their inaugural season, and the Bay Area’s hunger for the team has been apparent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So far, 11 home games at Chase Center have been \u003ca href=\"https://frontofficesports.com/valkyries-have-stunned-the-wnba-nothing-has-held-us-back/#:~:text=The%20team%20sold%20out%20its,rebrand%20of%20the%20Chase%20Center.\">sold out\u003c/a>, with thousands of fans repping the team in its now-signature royal violet. On \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/warriors/comments/1lfu3np/why_is_the_valkyries_crowd_so_much_better_than/\">social\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.threads.com/@beltzner/post/DLG5Ur_RgiP/holy-moly-the-chase-center-sounds-as-loud-for-the-valkyries-at-least-on-the-broa\">media\u003c/a>, you can see opposing players and their fans alike have remarked on the intense excitement in the arena.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Valkyries play their next game on Friday at Chase Center. \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/standings\">The Dallas Wings are currently the 12th best team\u003c/a> in the WNBA, while the Valkyries are the ninth best with a 10–12 record.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For many people, a WNBA team in the Bay Area has been a long time coming. Third-generation San Franciscan Megan Doherty-Baker said her family has been following local sports history for years. Her grandfather was even a sports photographer for the \u003cem>San Francisco Examiner. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We just all grew up in my family knowing that to show love for this place was to be really connected to the teams that we loved too,” she said. “So it extends now to the Valkyries.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047879\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047879\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00275_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00275_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00275_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00275_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Megan Doherty-Baker, a ValQueeries organizer, chats with fellow fans at a Valkyries watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland on July 12, 2025. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For others, like this reporter, basketball knowledge goes as far as \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_QRHJoXXYw&list=RDA_QRHJoXXYw&start_radio=1&pp=ygUZZ2V0IHlvdXIgaGVhZCBpbiB0aGUgZ2FtZaAHAQ%3D%3D\">Troy Bolton’s angst in \u003cem>High School Musical\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. But the Valkyries’ arrival in the Bay makes this season the perfect opportunity to get into the rapidly growing world of the WNBA.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "🏀 \u003cstrong>GLOSSARY: Valkyries \u003c/strong>are female \u003ca href=\"https://www.pbs.org/video/valkyries-the-real-story-behind-these-warriors-of-legend-ibrnw7/\">warriors who guide the souls of the dead in Norse mythology\u003c/a>. (If you are less of a mythology fan, it’s what \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNvUjCNYUrk\">Tessa Thompson’s character is in \u003cem>Thor\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>.)\u003c/em>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m not a sports person. I didn’t grow up playing sports,” San Francisco resident Robin Yang said. “Then a couple of years ago, when we found out that we were getting our team here, I was like, ‘Oh, I would love to be like, on the ground floor of something like that.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yang’s basketball “hyperfixation” developed quickly. She has been to six of the home games so far.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“People love to find reasons to hate on the Bay Area,” Yang said. Supporting the Valkyries has been a way for her to take a stand and say, ‘No, there are really cool things happening here.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Are you itching to join the Valkyries hype but not sure where to start? KQED has you covered with a comprehensive primer explaining the world of the WNBA for very, \u003cem>very \u003c/em>new fans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040692\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040692\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1243\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1-800x497.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1-1020x634.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1-160x99.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1-1536x955.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-23_qed-1-1920x1193.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Golden State Valkyries at their home opener at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>This is a long guide, so if you prefer you can \u003cstrong>jump straight to key questions like\u003c/strong>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#valkyries-schedule\">What is the Golden State Valkyries’ schedule, and how do I get tickets?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">What should I know about my first time at Chase Center?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#storylines\">What are the storylines this season?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#wnba-fandom\">How do I get involved with the WNBA fandom?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"roster\">\u003c/a>What does the roster for the Valkyries look like? \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The team is made up of 12 players and coached by Natalie Nakase. You can learn more about the team and their game highlights by \u003ca href=\"https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/24130218/\">clicking through the panels\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://flo.uri.sh/visualisation/24130218/embed\" title=\"Interactive or visual content\" class=\"flourish-embed-iframe\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px;\" sandbox=\"allow-same-origin allow-forms allow-scripts allow-downloads allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" width=\"100%\" height=\"500\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 100%!;margin-top: 4px!important;text-align: right!important\">\n\u003cp>\u003ca class=\"flourish-credit\" style=\"text-decoration: none!important\" href=\"https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/24130218/?utm_source=embed&utm_campaign=visualisation/24130218\" target=\"_top\">\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 105px!important;height: 16px!important;border: none!important;margin: 0!important\" src=\"https://public.flourish.studio/resources/made_with_flourish.svg\" alt=\"Made with Flourish\">\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>As the Valkyries’ veteran player, Tiffany “Tip” Hayes is a crucial presence, explained Portland-based designer Alexandria Haigh, who is also one of the founders of women’s basketball publication \u003ca href=\"https://www.flagrantmag.com/pages/about-us\">Flagrant Magazine\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“For both the team and the fans, having that vet presence is really important to sort of draw the connection between the old WNBA and a new team,” Haigh said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Other players to keep an eye on include fan favorites like Kayla Thornton, who became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/kayla-thornton-consistent-scorer-valkyries-20759239.php\">first-time All-Star\u003c/a> this season, Temi Fagbenle, Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But all of the players have their own passionate stans. “These are like Renaissance women,” said San Francisco’s Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely, co-host of the podcast \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valkyriessayless/\">Valkyries Say Less.\u003c/a> “They’ve got their fashion lines, they’re authors … They’re coming with excellent stats from either their time in the WNBA or college or from overseas.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Why does the team keep changing? \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you have already been to a few Valkyries games, you may have noticed that the team is not the same from game to game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For example, in the past few weeks, many Valkyries players went to play for their home country in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/valkyries-have-to-defy-expectations-again-following-eurobasket-exodus/\">EuroBasket Tournament\u003c/a>, prompting the team to temporarily sign new players. However, not every player who left is guaranteed a spot when they return. In early July, Belgian basketball player Julie Vanloo, who was part of the winning team in the European tournament, had just landed in San Francisco when she found out that the Valkyries had waived her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040681\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040681\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1304\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed-800x522.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed-1020x665.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed-1536x1001.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-69_qed-1920x1252.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries guard Julie Vanloo (35) advances toward the basket at the Valkyries’ home opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“After traveling 18 hours back to the Bay, I missed the fan ceremony and the chance to share that special medal moment with my family and friends,” Vanloo, who the Los Angeles Sparks snatched up, wrote on \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DLk_ORxhfxK/?img_index=1\">Instagram\u003c/a>. “Honestly, that stung. I understand it’s business, but nothing prepares you for the loneliness that comes with getting cut.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries have drummed up some decent amount of anger for some of their choices, including waiving another favorite, Shyanne Sellers, said Oakland and Chicago-based journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-guide-to-being-a-golden\">who writes Rough Notes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As women’s basketball gets more popular and players get more visibility, attachment to certain people grows — and so does disappointment and sadness when they get cut.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "🏀 \u003cstrong>GLOSSARY: Waived \u003c/strong>is when a player is \u003ca href=\"https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2025/05/06/what-does-it-mean-to-be-waived-wnba/83472043007/\">released before their contract ends\u003c/a>. There is a 48-hour period in which another team can take over that player’s contract and add them to \u003cem>their\u003c/em> team. If this doesn’t happen in 48 hours, the player becomes a free agent and can sign with a new team.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The WNBA is still figuring a lot of things out,” Goldberg-Safir said. “One of the things that they’re still figuring out is how to waive players in this moment, when the league is so popular and people are so invested.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are truly not enough spots for the number of really talented folks that are playing in the league or trying to play in the league.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>WNBA teams are allowed a maximum of 12 players, while NBA rosters typically carry 15.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Not only is there a lot more pressure for (players) to be physically able to play every single game, but it means that you can’t essentially train a bunch of additional people that can come in and be easily slotted into the team,” Yang said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047881\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047881\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland on July 12, 2025. The fan group, ValQueeries, hosted a watch party. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047878\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047878\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00163_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00163_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00163_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00163_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Meggie B. (center, no last name given) watches the Valkyries in anticipation at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>This year, members of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association are renegotiating their \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnbpa.com/thecba\">collective bargaining agreement\u003c/a> — and one of their demands is expanding team rosters, Goldberg-Safir said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The players are also bargaining for better pay, working off the long-time \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay/2025-07-01/ep-4-valkyries-and-the-gender-pay-gap\">disparity between women’s and men’s sports stars\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The W is making more money than ever,” Yang said. WNBA teams increased in value by \u003ca href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/24/sport/wnba-franchise-increase-value-sportico-spt\">an average of 180% over the last year\u003c/a>, with the Valkyries valued the highest at $500 million.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Do I need to understand basketball stats? \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>When you go to a basketball game, you will see a flurry of numbers on large screens that can feel almost Wall Street-esque. Those are the player’s stats, and they can be quite overwhelming.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I would say you don’t have to know too much about basketball to be able to enjoy it in person,” Haigh said. “You can kind of tell when something goes right and when something goes wrong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s a lot of details that can muddy those waters, but don’t obsess over stats and rules too much if you’re trying to just go watch and see if you enjoy it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Haigh said that the stats can help understand a player’s performance and their value in the WNBA, so to speak. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/popups/Glossary.asp?s=basketball\">major stat categories\u003c/a> to know are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>PPG \u003c/strong>is \u003cstrong>Points Per Game: \u003c/strong>The average number of a player’s points per game.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>RPG\u003c/strong> is \u003cstrong>Rebounds Per Game\u003c/strong>: The average number of a player’s rebounds. A rebound is when a player collects a missed shot on the offensive or defensive end of the court.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>APG \u003c/strong>is \u003cstrong>Assists Per Game: \u003c/strong>The average number of assists a player makes. An assist is the last pass to a teammate that directly leads to a field goal.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040680\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040680\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-47_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans cheer as the Golden State Valkyries score at their home opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Learn more about positions in basketball:\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/4_4CymXARWQ'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/4_4CymXARWQ'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"valkyries-schedule\">\u003c/a>When do the Valkyries play? \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For the current season, each team will \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/faq\">play 44 games\u003c/a>. Here is \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule\">what the schedule\u003c/a> for upcoming Valkyries games looks like.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Home games\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Friday, July 25 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Las Vegas Aces\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Saturday, Aug. 9 at 5:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Los Angeles Sparks\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Monday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Connecticut Sun\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sunday, Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs Atlanta Dream\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Saturday, Aug. 30 at 5:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Washington Mystics\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sunday, Aug. 31 at 5:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Indiana Fever\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. New York Liberty\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Saturday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040685\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040685\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-49_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A fan cheers after the Golden State Valkyries scored during their home opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Away games\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sunday, July 27 at 10 a.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Connecticut Sun \u003cstrong>in Connecticut\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Tuesday, July 29 at 4:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream \u003cstrong>in Georgia\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Thursday, July 31 at 4:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Washington Mystics \u003cstrong>in D.C.\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Friday, Aug. 1 at 4:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs.Chicago Sky \u003cstrong>in Illinois\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sunday, Aug. 3 at 3 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Las Vegas Aces \u003cstrong>in Nevada\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 4:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Washington Mystics \u003cstrong>in D.C.\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Friday, Aug. 15 at 4:30 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Chicago Sky \u003cstrong>in Illinois\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Friday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury \u003cstrong>in Arizona\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Sunday, Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings \u003cstrong>in Texas\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Seattle Storm \u003cstrong>in Washington\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Thursday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. \u003c/strong>Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx \u003cstrong>in Minnesota\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>How do I get tickets to home games? \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You can get tickets for home games at \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/tickets\">the Valkyries’ official website\u003c/a>, where options include \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/tickets/mini-plans\">mini-plans for multiple games \u003c/a>or season tickets. Season ticket holders become part of the \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/founding-guard\">“Founding Guard,\u003c/a>” with access to perks like on-court appearances.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The most economical option is \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2025&month=all&location=home&opponent=all\">the single game tickets\u003c/a>, which are relatively more affordable than Warriors tickets. The upcoming Dallas Wings game is pricier than the last home game against the Phoenix Mercury, however. \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/golden-state-valkyries-vs-dallas-wings-san-francisco-california-07-25-2025/event/1C00618BB84925EB?brand=valkyries&artistid=3369949&wt.mc_id=WNBA_TEAM_GS_SCHED_PG_GM12&utm_source=WNBA.com&utm_medium=client&utm_campaign=WNBA_TEAM_GS&utm_content=SCHED_PG_GM12\">The cheapest ticket for the Friday game\u003c/a> against the Dallas Wings is around $125.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some fans who have season tickets may sell individual games to other people. You may be able to find these offers on social media sites like Facebook groups. Doherty-Baker said fan groups like the Valqueeries, which she helps run, may also have a quick connection to people who are looking to sell or just generously give out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(But be careful, and verify the person before sending any money since \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11956083/taylor-swift-levis-stadium-eras-santa-clara-tickets#taylorswifttickets\">ticket scams have been common in recent years\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040686\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040686\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-36_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mychal Threets takes a photo with E-40 after the WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Are there any watch parties in the Bay Area?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you are craving the vibe of cheering fans but tickets may be out of your reach, there may be a local group or venue that is hosting a (possibly free) watch party.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Thrive Center\u003c/strong> (the venue connected to Chase Center) often shows the game on a large screen outside the arena.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Fan groups like \u003cstrong>the Valqueeries\u003c/strong>, which is for queer WNBA fans, often host watch parties for away games at local bars like Mother in the Mission District. You can get updates for the next event on \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">the Valqueeries’ Instagram\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Rikki’s \u003c/strong>in San Francisco’s Castro District is the area’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">first bar dedicated to women’s sports\u003c/a> and aims to show every Valkyries game.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Line 51 Brewing in Oakland has two watch parties on \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golden-state-valkyries-watch-party-line-51-tickets-1364587902149?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">July 25 (home game)\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golden-state-valkyries-watch-party-line-51-tickets-1364587902149?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">July 31 (away game.) \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>George & Walt’s \u003c/strong>in Oakland is \u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/georgeandwaltsbar/?hl=en\">a woman-owned sports bar\u003c/a>\u003c/strong> with a watch party on July 27 at 10 a,m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Line 51 Brewing\u003c/strong> in Oakland has two watch parties on \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golden-state-valkyries-watch-party-line-51-tickets-1364587902149?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">July 25 (home game)\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golden-state-valkyries-watch-party-line-51-tickets-1364587902149?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">July 31\u003c/a> (away game).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Xingones Cantina\u003c/strong> in Oakland is hosting watch parties on July 29 at 4:30 p.m., on August 3 at 3 p.m., on August 22 at 7 p.m. and on September 11 at 7 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047880\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047880\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00321_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00321_TV_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00321_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00321_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Miles Ott watches the game at a Valkyries watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland on July 12, 2025. The fan group, ValQueeries, hosted a watch party. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Where can I watch the Valkyries online or on TV?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The TV broadcast schedule for the Valkyries can be found on \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule/broadcast-schedule\">the official website\u003c/a>. But it’s straight up confusing, because it’s not consistent and rights to stream vary from game to game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For example, some games can sometimes be watched on KPIX+ in the Bay Area or KMAX in Sacramento. Other games may be on ION, which is a TV network and you can find what channel it is on locally on its \u003ca href=\"https://www.ionwnba.com/\">website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can stream some games on \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.fubo.tv/stream/wnba/?irad=1707172&irmp=5579095&sharedid=PtnrUS_TA_Editorial_HTW_Articles\">Fubo\u003c/a> or even buy a League Pass to get \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass\">access to more platforms\u003c/a>. The Athletic has \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6353404/2025/05/16/wnba-how-to-watch/\">a guide on some platforms to check out\u003c/a> and how to navigate WNBA schedules.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">\u003c/a>What should I know before going to Chase Center?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040691\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1873px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040691\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1873\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed.jpg 1873w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-800x569.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-1020x726.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-53_qed-1536x1093.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1873px) 100vw, 1873px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans pose for a photo outside of Chase Center, following the WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Los Angeles Sparks on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Basketball games move fast. They are around two to two and a half hours long and split into quarters.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There is usually a halftime show during the Chase Center games, featuring performances by local acts. E-40 performed at the inaugural game against the Los Angeles Sparks.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "🏀 \u003cstrong>GLOSSARY: Ballhalla \u003c/strong>is what the Valkyries have been calling Chase Center. It’s a reference to \u003ca href=\"https://www.history.com/articles/viking-valhalla-valkyrie-afterlife\">Valhalla\u003c/a>, a type of afterlife for warriors overlooked by the Norse god Odin.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You may also spot icons in women’s sports like \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/NBSMediaLIVE/status/1939482658993824234\">soccer star Megan Rapinoe\u003c/a> and see support from the Valkyries’ NBA counterparts, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLgbcQyxEef/\">Warriors stars Stephen Curry\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/warriors-valkyries-brandin-podziemski-20421849.php\">Brandin Podziemski\u003c/a>, who has been a regular cheerleader of the new team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12046841/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-tour-san-francisco-chase-center-parking-bag-policy#chase-center-bag-policy\">a thorough guide\u003c/a> on what to expect when \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12046841/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-tour-san-francisco-chase-center-parking-bag-policy#chase-center-bag-policy\">heading to a concert at Chase Center\u003c/a>. Here are some of the highlights.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Golden State Valkyries Merch\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you arrive at the home games early enough, you may also be able to snag some complimentary merch handed out at the gates or on your seat in the stadium. For example, the first 10,000 fans to tonight’s game can get \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/game/1022500138/PHX-vs-GSV\">a Valkyries wrist pouch\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you are on the hunt for merch — \u003ca href=\"https://shop.valkyries.com/en/\">the Valkyries have plenty\u003c/a> in its \u003ca href=\"https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/olivia-rodrigo-prince-hole-purple-pop-music-history\">pop-girl purple\u003c/a> — check out the \u003ca href=\"https://www.chasecenter.com/plan-your-visit/a-to-z-guide/\">stands\u003c/a> at Portals 10, 21, 41, 42, 47 and 59.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12047938\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/cc-portals.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/cc-portals.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/cc-portals-160x100.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/cc-portals-1536x960.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There is also the Golden State Shop right outside Chase Center, which \u003ca href=\"https://goldenstate.com/shop/\">stays open late after games\u003c/a>. Keep in mind: The line for the merch after a game will be \u003cem>long\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Merch can be found only online, like the very adorable Peanuts collab with the WNBA that features \u003ca href=\"https://www.homage.com/collections/wnba-x-peanuts/products/peanuts-peppermint-patty-x-golden-state-valkyries\">Peppermint Patty with the Valkyries’ logo\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047882\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047882\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00453_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00453_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00453_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00453_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans watch the Valkyries in anticipation at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland on July 12. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Chase Center bag policy\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Backpacks (except for single-compartment drawstring bags) of any kind are prohibited from entering the arena. Any other bag you bring, including diaper bags, must be smaller than 14 by 14 by 6 inches.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bags that do not meet the requirements can be checked at one of Chase’s two bag check locations for $10. Bag check is at the corner of 16th Street and Terry A. Francois Boulevard.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here are some more things \u003ca href=\"https://www.chasecenter.com/a-to-z-guide\">you cannot bring into Chase Center\u003c/a>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Bottles and cans.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Refillable water bottles or cups.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Signs over 11 x 17 inches or attached to any pole or stick.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Masks that cover the whole face. (Face coverings to lower your risks of catching — or spreading — COVID-19, like N95 masks, are allowed. Limited face paint is accepted.)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Lights, tripods and professional recording equipment. Flash photography is not allowed.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Noise-making devices, such as air horns, whistles or cowbells.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Weapons and self-defense items of any kind, including mace, knives and tasers.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Selfie sticks.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You \u003cem>can \u003c/em>bring:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Baby bags, plastic bottles and formula.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Strollers that can be checked in at Portals 13 or 52 during the event.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Umbrellas.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Parking at and near Chase Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Chase Center has \u003ca href=\"https://chasecenter.com/plan-your-visit/transportation/parking/\">a guide to its parking garage\u003c/a>. The venue’s website also refers fans to the \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/search?kind=destination&id=74629&%243p=a_hasoffers&%24affiliate_json=http%3A%2F%2Ftracking.spothero.com%2Faff_c%3Foffer_id%3D1%26aff_id%3D1753%26source%3Dchasecenter%26aff_sub2%3Dparkingpage%26aff_sub3%3Dlink%26format%3Djson&_branch_match_id=1355649275202063070&utm_source=Partnerships&utm_campaign=Tune_Platform&utm_medium=paid+advertising&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA32SwW7DIAyGnyYc20KaVp2EpmnVjrtUOyNCnMKaAAOyqZc%2B%2B0y6pe2mTcoB%2Fzbm8%2B%2FolHy8m8%2Bjd0lDcDPp%2Fawz9jBPkXr2%2FLYDer93smOckYItS8%2Bl0DK6toUQSVQaeuA6dyEHYxveQEzGymScJSfVGXUQpuF0weolpU1dyrJSdKNozRpWYQgLtiHRDUEBV9gYFNgEgQyhO7ctyoeCPeH3CxG1C2RRYk2VAYtye4VYsNV4QApMUAwnqhz%2FyzUWu5iEGkIAq45442W3neR32Q2A2iIrSO5sI8NR%2BKHuTERUTGEmailk25rOyARf0jgvnq8mRnn0GVVGvpE5JV4mzW9GJbdQHJHyaqY3xGt0djRv8i4FqXA9%2B9lkonI96nhHKLTuh0VZPgfrqvybN5fFoc7IXobc38s9XBIlJs6LWrUu9DJhnNmIRn7%2Ba5%2FkylW%2BIDj9ernCv%2BMUAOkCthd1cB8RAn%2FUwfXwCT%2FpNYK9AgAA&view=dl\">third-party parking website SpotHero\u003c/a>, where you can find cheaper parking options farther away. So if you’re driving to the arena but haven’t secured your parking yet, consider wearing comfier shoes for the walk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040673\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1943px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040673\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1943\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed.jpg 1943w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-800x549.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1020x700.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-160x110.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1536x1054.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-63_qed-1920x1317.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1943px) 100vw, 1943px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) advances toward the basket during the Valkyries’ home opener at Chase Center on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber at Chase Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Getting to the venue using a rideshare service will likely be pretty smooth. It’s getting out of the area \u003cem>after\u003c/em> a game that is almost certainly going to be a challenge. And due to surge pricing, it will also be far more expensive to get an Uber or Lyft as you exit the venue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are \u003ca href=\"https://images.ctfassets.net/0lzgl3qjkmm1/6k8OJ6yu4tTfjV4wHsmKTG/0b4cc696d2b3f2360ad34bbc16ffbffd/uber-map.png\">multiple designated pickup and drop-off zones\u003c/a> located within one block of Chase Center. Upon arrival, use one of the designated passenger loading zones (white curbs) along Terry A. Francois Boulevard for a safe curbside drop-off. As you leave the venue, rideshare apps will automatically display the best places to get picked up within a five-minute walk radius.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Public transit to Chase Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Public transit schedules can always be subject to change. Check the timings for your route on the day of the event and be sure of your very last service home. You can also read \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12046841/lady-gaga-mayhem-ball-tour-san-francisco-chase-center-parking-bag-policy#chase-center-parking\">KQED’s guide on transportation at Chase Center\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This map also gives a quick overview of the Muni, BART and Caltrain stops nearby:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12047939\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_MapCC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_Map_1080x1080.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_MapCC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_Map_1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/CC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_MapCC_BM_20231005_CC_Transportation_Map_1080x1080-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Any Chase Center patron who shows their event ticket at Muni turnstiles and boarding platforms can \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/fares/your-chase-center-event-ticket-your-muni-fare\">ride Muni without charge\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Accessibility at Chase Center\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Chase Center addresses questions about accessibility in \u003ca href=\"https://www.chasecenter.com/a-to-z-guide\">its online A-to-Z Guide\u003c/a>, which includes information about accessible parking, hearing assistance, ADA-compliant restrooms and service animals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The venue said guests can request complimentary wheelchair escorts by visiting the kiosks located at Portal 13 or by texting 833-CC4-FANS.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "🏀 \u003cstrong>GLOSSARY: The W\u003c/strong> refers to the WNBA. Another major women’s basketball league is \u003ca href=\"https://www.unrivaled.basketball/\">Unrivaled\u003c/a>.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To schedule an American Sign Language interpreter, guests should contact guestexperiences@warriors.com ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can email guestexperiences@warriors.com for more details.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Accessible drop-offs and pickups are along the curb of \u003ca href=\"https://www.chasecenter.com/plan-your-visit/visitor-info/\">16th Street and Terry A. Francois Boulevard\u003c/a>, with accessible entry and exit from the East Entrance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040682\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040682\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-44_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans cheer as the Golden State Valkyries score during their WNBA season opener. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"storylines\">\u003c/a>What are the storylines?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>New team, new coach, new dynamics\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since this is a brand-new team, the Valkyries have never \u003cem>played \u003c/em>together before, Doherty-Baker said. As a fan, it makes it all the more exciting to see how the team figures out its dynamics and relationships in real time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They learn so freaking quickly,” Doherty-Baker said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px\" cite=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@breezyhall_/video/7520853622213643533\" data-video-id=\"7520853622213643533\">\n\u003csection>\u003ca title=\"@breezyhall_\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@breezyhall_?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@breezyhall_\u003c/a> why are we shaking each other hand so aggressively 😂😂😂 \u003ca title=\"fyp\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#fyp\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"foryou\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryou?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#foryou\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"breezyhall\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/breezyhall?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#breezyhall\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"wnba\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/wnba?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#wnba\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"valkyries\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/valkyries?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#valkyries\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"♬ Illegal - PinkPantheress\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/music/Illegal-7502057134566525713?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">♬ Illegal – PinkPantheress\u003c/a>\u003c/section>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Valkyries really are kind of a headline in the 2025 WNBA season,” Goldberg-Safir said. For California basketball fans, people “expected the team to do well. I don’t think they expected the team to do \u003cem>so \u003c/em>well … the vibes are truly pretty incredible … (and) there’s a number of players that are really outperforming their previous seasons.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px\" cite=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@laeticiaamihere/video/7520852847940963614\" data-video-id=\"7520852847940963614\">\n\u003csection>\u003ca title=\"@laeticiaamihere\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@laeticiaamihere?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@laeticiaamihere\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"valkyries\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/valkyries?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#valkyries\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"dubbs\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dubbs?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#dubbs\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"♬ Bunna Summa - BunnaB\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/music/Bunna-Summa-7492171577455593473?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">♬ Bunna Summa – BunnaB\u003c/a>\u003c/section>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Goldberg-Safir added that \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-i-wrote-about-the-leagues\">Nakase\u003c/a> is “proving herself so far to be a really, really good coach.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I love seeing coaches who are former players, women and particularly women of color,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12038786\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12038786\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries’ Head Coach Natalie Nakase speaks with the press during training camp held at the Sephora Performance Center in Oakland on May 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Who are the teams to beat?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever are strong teams that are playing well this season, Goldberg-Safir said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many are hoping to beat the New York Liberty in particular, since last year the Liberty won their first-ever WNBA championship. But it was a controversial win due to a “highly contested foul call at the end of the game” against the Minnesota Lynx, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As Bay Area fans, this is a good moment to shut them up,” she said with a laugh.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Honoring the history of women’s basketball in the Bay\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For Goldberg-Safir, “the Golden State Valkyries coming to the Bay is like this lifelong dream-come-true in a lot of ways,” and she immediately dove into the history of women’s basketball in the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She learned that the Valkyries are, in fact, \u003cem>not\u003c/em> the first professional women’s team to play in San Francisco. That would be the San Francisco Pioneers, which played in the Women’s Professional Basketball League from 1979 to 1981. In fact, last week’s game honored the Pioneers, where \u003ca href=\"https://www.thenexthoops.com/wbl/pioneers-wbl-valkyries-wnba/\">several of the players reunited\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Most of (the players) are still around,” said Goldberg-Safir, who has been \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bounce-honoring-the-san-francisco-pioneers-live-in-person-tickets-1420298634449?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">dedicated to documenting the history of the Pioneers\u003c/a>. “They really wanna talk about their stories and share their experiences because they really helped pave the way for pro women’s basketball and the WNBA.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the larger Northern California area, there were also \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xngDgvMK28o\">the Sacramento Monarchs\u003c/a>, which played from the inaugural 1997 WNBA season to 2009. (They also had fans rocking purple.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s a lot of nostalgia for that and even sadness that they ever left that area,” said Doherty-Baker, who went to the games as a kid.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"wnba-fandom\">\u003c/a>What should I know about fan culture?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“WNBA fans are very, very passionate,” Haigh said. “A lot of them have been (here) since the inception years ago. They love their teams.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Goldberg-Safir said that she sees a variety of reasons why people get into the WNBA. It can range from basketball stats, political history or even player fashion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px\" cite=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@brwsports/video/7515963003137707295\" data-video-id=\"7515963003137707295\">\n\u003csection>\u003ca title=\"@brwsports\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@brwsports?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@brwsports\u003c/a> 🤩 (Via @Golden State Valkyries) \u003ca title=\"wnba\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/wnba?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#wnba\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"womensbasketball\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/womensbasketball?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#womensbasketball\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"fashion\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fashion?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#fashion\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"tunnelfits\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tunnelfits?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#tunnelfits\u003c/a> \u003ca title=\"♬ Under Pressure - bleacherreport\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/music/Under-Pressure-7398336470773189418?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">♬ Under Pressure – bleacherreport\u003c/a>\u003c/section>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>“There are a lot of folks who are finding fandom in the WNBA that haven’t felt welcomed or included in sports spaces before,” Goldberg-Safir said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Fans do like to know who is dating who\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yang, the basketball fan from San Francisco, said there was a specific “inciting incident” that led to her piqued interest in the WNBA. It was a show where a comedian put together a PowerPoint of all of the ways the WNBA was better than the NBA, with the primary point being because all of the players are dating each other.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "🏀 \u003cstrong>GLOSSARY: MNBA\u003c/strong> — short for the Men’s National Basketball Association — is what some fans slyly call the NBA.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s that kind of stuff that you’re like, ‘Oh, there’s \u003cem>stories \u003c/em>here,” Yang said. “It’s not just, like, who’s winning.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I had a lot of people be like, ‘The WNBA is my reality TV,” Doherty-Baker said. “I think it is a really great way for folks (for whom) sports hasn’t been their jam to come in with an interest in the players.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040679\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040679\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-80_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fágbénlé (14) makes a basket during the first quarter. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>It’s more than just the NBA …\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Haigh emphasized the importance of looking at the WNBA as “truly its own league” rather than an “extension of the NBA.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One common — and sexist — criticism of the WNBA is that it’s not as fun “because they don’t dunk.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As a fan of both leagues, I don’t think that dunking makes the NBA miles and miles better than the W,” Haigh said. “There’s this idea that we should lower the rims in the W so they can dunk, and it’s just this weird obsession with dunking that I just frankly don’t understand.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>… and it’s more than just one player\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever has been a major star in the women’s basketball world, but you will likely get an eye roll from a long-time fan for crediting all of the WNBA’s success to just her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“(Clark) has done a lot, but the talent has been there. The skills, the vibes, the fans — they have been there since before Caitlin,” Haigh said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There is also the coverage and commentary around Clark that is worth keeping in mind. \u003ca href=\"https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/study-suggests-racial-bias-angel-reese-caitlin-clark-debate-examines-how-social-media\">A March study by Rice University\u003c/a> analyzed thousands of tweets and found that comments about Clark, who is white, tend to be more positive when compared to comments about fellow WNBA star Angel Reese, who is Black.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are people who are sort of using women’s basketball as a kind of proxy to express racist agendas,” Goldberg-Safir said. “And that can oftentimes look like this emphatic support of specific white players as sort of a white savior role.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Clark said \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/40348389/caitlin-clark-speaks-racist-misogynistic-comments\">she denounced racist comments\u003c/a>, adding that “People should not be using my name to push those agendas. It’s disappointing. It’s not acceptable.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>WNBA fans value inclusivity\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Goldberg-Safir said WNBA fans have a vested interest in social justice — a cause players have championed within the league, especially around \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-announces-a-2020-season-dedicated-to-social-justice\">racial justice\u003c/a> and queer visibility.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Raina Mast, San Francisco resident and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valkyriessayless/\">Valkyries Say Less podcast\u003c/a> cohost, said she will see people at protests with Valkyries gear, and then hop on the Muni towards the Chase Center for the game the same day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It “is just so telling of what the Bay Area is about,” said Mast, whose father even played in the NBA.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The WNBA has evolved since its inception, said Goldberg-Safir: “More queer, more political, more proudly Black-led.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“A lot of our elders, queer elders, lesbians, former basketball players, people who have been in the community for a long time as coaches or family members, those are the folks that have been around and stuck around,” Goldberg-Safir said. “It’s really important to continue to include those people actively and to learn from them about their knowledge of the WNBA.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040690\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1899px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040690\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1899\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed.jpg 1899w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed-800x562.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed-1020x716.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed-160x112.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-48_qed-1536x1078.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1899px) 100vw, 1899px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jhunehl Fortaleza, left, dressed as a Valkyrie, dances outside of Chase Center, following the WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Los Angeles Sparks on May 16, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Representation of the players and coach Naskase has been big for young people too, said Hutchinson-Szekely, Mast’s co-host – who is also a teacher at a school with a large Asian American population.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It was really incredible to see the impact of that on the students, when we first had Kaitlyn Chen,” she said. “I had a student who came up to me and was elated about the fact that her dad bought season tickets, and she got a Kaitlyn Chen jersey … and how connected that made [the student] feel to the team and to her culture.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Queer fandom is a major part of WNBA culture, leading to fan groups like Doherty-Baker’s Valqueeries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The amount of times I’ve heard from other queer fans, like ‘I just wanna make queer friends,’” she said. “You would think in the Bay it would be easier, because there’s so many of us here, but I find that that’s not really the case.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I can be really shy. I would just encourage anyone who’s thinking about it to just say ‘hi.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a moment of political, economic and strife, it “feels really good” to be a part of “something bigger than yourself,” Yang said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040684\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040684\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/20250516_ValkyriesHomeOpener_GC-29_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans cheer during the Golden State Valkyries’ WNBA season opener against the Los Angeles Sparks. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s really cool to be walking into Chase Center on a game day and seeing all these families, all these older queer groups of friends or couples, all these people of color,” Yang said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I was taking the 22 across the city into Chase Center, and I just remember watching people get on the bus and like the bus becoming more and more saturated with this color. It just felt really, really wonderful to be in that presence.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yang said a major part of that feeling can be attributed to the fans and the way the Valkyries were rolled out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It allows the fans to buy into that as well and be like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s who we are,’” Yang said. “‘We’re gonna support you, like you are the future champions that we hope you are.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story was originally published on July 14.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "a-basketball-trailblazer-my-mother-the-wnba-star-youve-never-heard-of",
"title": "A Basketball Trailblazer: My Mother, the WNBA Star You’ve Never Heard Of",
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"headTitle": "A Basketball Trailblazer: My Mother, the WNBA Star You’ve Never Heard Of | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>My mom, Judy Mosley McAfee, was one of the very first women drafted into the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/wnba\">WNBA\u003c/a>. But you’ve probably never heard of her. I certainly didn’t know how she blazed a trail for what women’s basketball has become today until I started researching her past.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My mom passed away from breast cancer when I was 12. I never saw her playing college or pro ball because by the time I was born in 2001, she had stopped playing. I knew her better as a high school teacher and coach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now that I’m 24, just a few years older than my mom was when she started playing college ball, I’ve been on a quest to understand that side of her, and why she loved a sport I’ve been less than fond of for most of my life.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m 5’10” — and my whole life, people have asked me if I play basketball. But the truth is, I’ve never really liked the sport. The exuberant mascots, the endless running up and down the court. It felt pointless and boring to me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But when my mom played, she made fans fall in love with women’s basketball, and ultimately left a legacy that paved the way for today’s record attendance at WNBA games — and the rise of teams like the Golden State Valkyries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047798\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047798\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_011_BF_KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1332\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_011_BF_KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_011_BF_KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_011_BF_KQED-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Audy McAfee at her home in Oakland, on July 11, 2025. \u003ccite>(Brian L. Frank/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My mom started her basketball career at La Puente High in Los Angeles, where she averaged more than 15 points per game. Recruiters came knocking from more than 80 schools, but she ultimately decided on the University of Hawaii at Manoa, which, at the time, ranked 159th in the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But my mom turned that around. She would become the nation’s second-leading scorer, averaging 27 points and 15 rebounds per game. And she put the University of Hawaii on the map. Today, the UH Rainbow Wahines are ranked seventh in the NCAA.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12047885 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00046_TV_qed.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even 35 years after graduating from UH, my mom is still considered the best player — in both women’s and men’s sports — in the school’s history. She was even honored with the title “All-Time American” for her last two years of college.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This spring, I actually got to visit the college to meet some of her former teammates and see the gym where the Wahines used to play. I kept trying to envision what it must have been like to be 18, a California girl on a basketball scholarship to Hawaii, double majoring and balancing good grades with her record-breaking basketball career. I truly do not know how she did it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The best part of the trip was visiting the current Wahines locker room to marvel at a giant photo on the wall. There was my mom, larger than life, going for a rebound, the only player to lead the Wahines in scoring and rebounding for four straight seasons.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When the ball was in the air, you don’t know which way the ball was gonna bounce, but your mom did,” her former assistant coach, George Wolfe, told me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We call it a nose for the ball,” Wolfe said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Soon after graduating in 1990, my mom played overseas in places like Italy, Hungary, Japan and Spain. Once she met my dad, he traveled with her all over the world, witnessing the influence she had on the crowd. He told me it was like walking on clouds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047804\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047804\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_005_BF_KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1332\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_005_BF_KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_005_BF_KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_005_BF_KQED-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Audy McAfee holds a family picture of her mother and aunt at her home in Oakland, on July 11, 2025. \u003ccite>(Brian L. Frank/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In 1997, she was drafted to the Sacramento Monarchs for the WNBA’s inaugural season. She was the sixth woman picked for the league — out of 32 women selected from around the globe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My mom’s former teammate, Tajama Abraham, told me it wasn’t easy to be a part of the first-ever women’s basketball national league because there were no mentors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You’re creating this whole women’s pro thing from scratch. We had no understanding of what it [was] going to take at that level,” Abraham said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And in those early years, the women’s league \u003ca href=\"https://uncpress.org/book/9781469674780/shattering-the-glass/\">didn’t get the same coverage as the NBA\u003c/a> — and generated far less advertising revenue and corporate support.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Back in that first year of the WNBA, female players only earned a base salary of $28,000 a season. Compare that to NBA players’ base of $200,000.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even though my mom passed more than a decade ago, it feels good to get to know her better. To know that she paved the way for women’s basketball and teams like the Golden State Valkyries to get the respect they deserve.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047807\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047807\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_002_BF_KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1332\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_002_BF_KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_002_BF_KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_002_BF_KQED-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Audy McAfee at her home in Oakland, on July 11, 2025. \u003ccite>(Brian L. Frank/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>I’m grateful to get to know this side of my mom. She was a champion, a. A true warrior on and off the court. I didn’t get to know her for very long, but she was, and still is, everything to me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I can’t remember how her voice sounds anymore, but I will always recall the smell of the fresh pots of rice she would make in the early morning, before her two-hour commute to work. I will always cherish her big gummy smile, the one we’d see after she told a joke that usually only she thought was funny. I won’t forget the way she would throw her hair up into a ponytail and curl her bangs with a bump.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like her favorite flower, she was a rose plucked too soon. Luscious, fleeting. A flower that left me with thorns all over because I held on too hard. And still, I would pick thorns out of my hands for the rest of my life if that meant I could see her again. If I make it to 45, I hope I’m at least half as cool as she was.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I may not blaze new trails or set new records like she did, but I know that if I just try my hardest and am genuine in what I do, everything will be okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I love you, mommy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>Audy McAfee produced this audio documentary as her master’s thesis at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism’s audio program.\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>My mom, Judy Mosley McAfee, was one of the very first women drafted into the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/wnba\">WNBA\u003c/a>. But you’ve probably never heard of her. I certainly didn’t know how she blazed a trail for what women’s basketball has become today until I started researching her past.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My mom passed away from breast cancer when I was 12. I never saw her playing college or pro ball because by the time I was born in 2001, she had stopped playing. I knew her better as a high school teacher and coach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now that I’m 24, just a few years older than my mom was when she started playing college ball, I’ve been on a quest to understand that side of her, and why she loved a sport I’ve been less than fond of for most of my life.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m 5’10” — and my whole life, people have asked me if I play basketball. But the truth is, I’ve never really liked the sport. The exuberant mascots, the endless running up and down the court. It felt pointless and boring to me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But when my mom played, she made fans fall in love with women’s basketball, and ultimately left a legacy that paved the way for today’s record attendance at WNBA games — and the rise of teams like the Golden State Valkyries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047798\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047798\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_011_BF_KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1332\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_011_BF_KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_011_BF_KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_011_BF_KQED-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Audy McAfee at her home in Oakland, on July 11, 2025. \u003ccite>(Brian L. Frank/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My mom started her basketball career at La Puente High in Los Angeles, where she averaged more than 15 points per game. Recruiters came knocking from more than 80 schools, but she ultimately decided on the University of Hawaii at Manoa, which, at the time, ranked 159th in the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But my mom turned that around. She would become the nation’s second-leading scorer, averaging 27 points and 15 rebounds per game. And she put the University of Hawaii on the map. Today, the UH Rainbow Wahines are ranked seventh in the NCAA.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even 35 years after graduating from UH, my mom is still considered the best player — in both women’s and men’s sports — in the school’s history. She was even honored with the title “All-Time American” for her last two years of college.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This spring, I actually got to visit the college to meet some of her former teammates and see the gym where the Wahines used to play. I kept trying to envision what it must have been like to be 18, a California girl on a basketball scholarship to Hawaii, double majoring and balancing good grades with her record-breaking basketball career. I truly do not know how she did it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The best part of the trip was visiting the current Wahines locker room to marvel at a giant photo on the wall. There was my mom, larger than life, going for a rebound, the only player to lead the Wahines in scoring and rebounding for four straight seasons.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When the ball was in the air, you don’t know which way the ball was gonna bounce, but your mom did,” her former assistant coach, George Wolfe, told me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We call it a nose for the ball,” Wolfe said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Soon after graduating in 1990, my mom played overseas in places like Italy, Hungary, Japan and Spain. Once she met my dad, he traveled with her all over the world, witnessing the influence she had on the crowd. He told me it was like walking on clouds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047804\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047804\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_005_BF_KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1332\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_005_BF_KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_005_BF_KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_005_BF_KQED-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Audy McAfee holds a family picture of her mother and aunt at her home in Oakland, on July 11, 2025. \u003ccite>(Brian L. Frank/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In 1997, she was drafted to the Sacramento Monarchs for the WNBA’s inaugural season. She was the sixth woman picked for the league — out of 32 women selected from around the globe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My mom’s former teammate, Tajama Abraham, told me it wasn’t easy to be a part of the first-ever women’s basketball national league because there were no mentors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You’re creating this whole women’s pro thing from scratch. We had no understanding of what it [was] going to take at that level,” Abraham said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And in those early years, the women’s league \u003ca href=\"https://uncpress.org/book/9781469674780/shattering-the-glass/\">didn’t get the same coverage as the NBA\u003c/a> — and generated far less advertising revenue and corporate support.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Back in that first year of the WNBA, female players only earned a base salary of $28,000 a season. Compare that to NBA players’ base of $200,000.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even though my mom passed more than a decade ago, it feels good to get to know her better. To know that she paved the way for women’s basketball and teams like the Golden State Valkyries to get the respect they deserve.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12047807\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12047807\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_002_BF_KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1332\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_002_BF_KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_002_BF_KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250711_WNBA-mom_002_BF_KQED-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Audy McAfee at her home in Oakland, on July 11, 2025. \u003ccite>(Brian L. Frank/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>I’m grateful to get to know this side of my mom. She was a champion, a. A true warrior on and off the court. I didn’t get to know her for very long, but she was, and still is, everything to me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I can’t remember how her voice sounds anymore, but I will always recall the smell of the fresh pots of rice she would make in the early morning, before her two-hour commute to work. I will always cherish her big gummy smile, the one we’d see after she told a joke that usually only she thought was funny. I won’t forget the way she would throw her hair up into a ponytail and curl her bangs with a bump.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like her favorite flower, she was a rose plucked too soon. Luscious, fleeting. A flower that left me with thorns all over because I held on too hard. And still, I would pick thorns out of my hands for the rest of my life if that meant I could see her again. If I make it to 45, I hope I’m at least half as cool as she was.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I may not blaze new trails or set new records like she did, but I know that if I just try my hardest and am genuine in what I do, everything will be okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I love you, mommy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>Audy McAfee produced this audio documentary as her master’s thesis at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism’s audio program.\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 2 p.m. Wednesday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Trump administration sued California on Wednesday over its policy permitting \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12041770/california-tweaks-trans-athlete-rules-after-trump-threatens-to-halt-federal-funding\">transgender high school athletes\u003c/a> to participate on teams that match their gender identity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The suit comes just days after the California Interscholastic Federation and the state’s Department of Education declined to sign a resolution agreeing to comply with the U.S. Department of Education’s push to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The lawsuit alleges that by allowing transgender athletes to participate on girls’ sports teams, California is discriminating against women and girls, ignoring “undeniable biological differences.” According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the state’s policies violate Title IX, the landmark civil rights law that protects against discrimination based on sex in schools that receive federal funding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Girls are displaced from podiums, denied awards, and miss out on critical visibility for college scholarships and recognition,” the suit reads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the CIF and the state Education Department are following existing state law, which he said is in line with 21 other states’ laws and doesn’t violate Title IX.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“No court has adopted the interpretation of Title IX advanced by the federal government and neither the governor, nor they, get to wave a magic wand and override it,” Newsom’s office said via email. “Unlike Donald Trump, California follows the law.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12043426\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12043426\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/GavinNewsomRobBontaGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1491\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/GavinNewsomRobBontaGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/GavinNewsomRobBontaGetty-160x119.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/GavinNewsomRobBontaGetty-1536x1145.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gov. Gavin Newsom (right) speaks as Attorney General Rob Bonta looks on during a news conference on April 16, 2025, in Ceres, California. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>California state law requires public schools to allow students to participate in all school activities, including sports teams, that match their gender identity. Pushback against it, as well as similar legislation in other states, intensified during the 2024 presidential campaign, when opposition to transgender athletes’ participation in sports became a linchpin of Trump’s platform.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Transgender youth are at the center of this administration’s cruel and discriminatory policies,” said Heron Greenesmith, deputy director of policy at the Transgender Law Center. “Their attempts at wielding Title IX against the very students it is supposed to protect is characteristic of a government that has no issues with continuing to attack an already marginalized group, push a harmful and misinformed narrative about transgender youth, and create confusing and hostile conditions for students and school[s].”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Shortly after Trump took office, he signed an \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/keeping-men-out-of-womens-sports/\">executive order\u003c/a> that sought to ban trans women from competing in women’s sports by rescinding federal funding from educational programs that didn’t comply. In February, his Department of Education launched an investigation into California’s Title IX compliance.[aside postID=news_12041770 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/TrumpTransAthletesGetty-1020x638.jpg']In June, the U.S. Department of Education’s investigation found that the state had violated regulations, and it also gave California an ultimatum requiring it to ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports and apologize to female athletes who had lost to transgender competitors within 10 days. If the state refused to do so, the letter said, the U.S. Department of Education could move to withhold funding or refer the case to the Department of Justice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>CIF and the state Department of Education sent letters to the U.S. Department of Education declining to sign a resolution agreement on Monday, saying that they disagreed with its Office of Civil Rights’ analysis. CIF and the state Education Department declined to comment, citing pending litigation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The suit filed Wednesday is the second such lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against a state that declined to comply with the federal order. It seeks to require California to ban transgender girls from competing in female sports in schools that receive federal funding and to provide compensation for athletes who the suit said have been denied equal athletic opportunities because of the state’s alleged Title IX violations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among the other states with laws like California’s is Maine, which the DOJ filed a similar suit against in April over its refusal to ban transgender athletes’ participation in sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Billions of dollars in federal funding could be at stake. According to the complaint, the U.S. Department of Education has allocated about $44.3 billion to California for fiscal year 2025, with about $3.8 billion of that still “available for drawdown … including both discretionary grants and formula grants.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Attorneys for the DOJ specifically cite California’s high school track and field championships this year, at which a transgender athlete from Riverside County competed in the girls’ high jump, triple jump and long jump. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The athlete’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12042352/trans-athlete-shines-in-california-high-school-track-finals-ignites-amid-policy-debate\">dominance in some of the events\u003c/a> spurred controversy leading up to the meet, amplified by Trump when he threatened on Truth Social to withhold federal funding from California if it did not prohibit the athlete from competing in alignment with his executive order.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hours later, CIF announced that it would pilot a first-of-its-kind entry process at the track and field competition that allowed an additional athlete to advance to the finals and place in events with a transgender competitor. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the DOJ’s lawsuit, CIF’s rule change allowed for an additional placement in the finals for a “biological female,” and in doing so “acknowledged the inherent athletic advantage males have over ‘biological female[s]’ and that allowing males to compete in female athletic competitions displaces girls and denies girls equal athletic opportunities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Throughout, the lawsuit also jabs at Newsom, who said in a March episode of his podcast “This is Gavin Newsom” that trans athletes’ participation in women’s sports \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12030376/newsom-splits-with-democrats-on-trans-athletes-in-sports\">was “deeply unfair.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The complaint included an email CIF Executive Director Ronald Nocetti sent to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond following the podcast. In the email, Nocetti asked for clarification on the state policy on trans athletes, saying comments made by Newsom “increased the level of confusion and concern of the CIF and our member schools.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 2 p.m. Wednesday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Trump administration sued California on Wednesday over its policy permitting \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12041770/california-tweaks-trans-athlete-rules-after-trump-threatens-to-halt-federal-funding\">transgender high school athletes\u003c/a> to participate on teams that match their gender identity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The suit comes just days after the California Interscholastic Federation and the state’s Department of Education declined to sign a resolution agreeing to comply with the U.S. Department of Education’s push to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The lawsuit alleges that by allowing transgender athletes to participate on girls’ sports teams, California is discriminating against women and girls, ignoring “undeniable biological differences.” According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the state’s policies violate Title IX, the landmark civil rights law that protects against discrimination based on sex in schools that receive federal funding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Girls are displaced from podiums, denied awards, and miss out on critical visibility for college scholarships and recognition,” the suit reads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the CIF and the state Education Department are following existing state law, which he said is in line with 21 other states’ laws and doesn’t violate Title IX.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“No court has adopted the interpretation of Title IX advanced by the federal government and neither the governor, nor they, get to wave a magic wand and override it,” Newsom’s office said via email. “Unlike Donald Trump, California follows the law.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12043426\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12043426\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/GavinNewsomRobBontaGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1491\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/GavinNewsomRobBontaGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/GavinNewsomRobBontaGetty-160x119.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/GavinNewsomRobBontaGetty-1536x1145.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gov. Gavin Newsom (right) speaks as Attorney General Rob Bonta looks on during a news conference on April 16, 2025, in Ceres, California. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>California state law requires public schools to allow students to participate in all school activities, including sports teams, that match their gender identity. Pushback against it, as well as similar legislation in other states, intensified during the 2024 presidential campaign, when opposition to transgender athletes’ participation in sports became a linchpin of Trump’s platform.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Transgender youth are at the center of this administration’s cruel and discriminatory policies,” said Heron Greenesmith, deputy director of policy at the Transgender Law Center. “Their attempts at wielding Title IX against the very students it is supposed to protect is characteristic of a government that has no issues with continuing to attack an already marginalized group, push a harmful and misinformed narrative about transgender youth, and create confusing and hostile conditions for students and school[s].”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Shortly after Trump took office, he signed an \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/keeping-men-out-of-womens-sports/\">executive order\u003c/a> that sought to ban trans women from competing in women’s sports by rescinding federal funding from educational programs that didn’t comply. In February, his Department of Education launched an investigation into California’s Title IX compliance.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>In June, the U.S. Department of Education’s investigation found that the state had violated regulations, and it also gave California an ultimatum requiring it to ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports and apologize to female athletes who had lost to transgender competitors within 10 days. If the state refused to do so, the letter said, the U.S. Department of Education could move to withhold funding or refer the case to the Department of Justice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>CIF and the state Department of Education sent letters to the U.S. Department of Education declining to sign a resolution agreement on Monday, saying that they disagreed with its Office of Civil Rights’ analysis. CIF and the state Education Department declined to comment, citing pending litigation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The suit filed Wednesday is the second such lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against a state that declined to comply with the federal order. It seeks to require California to ban transgender girls from competing in female sports in schools that receive federal funding and to provide compensation for athletes who the suit said have been denied equal athletic opportunities because of the state’s alleged Title IX violations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among the other states with laws like California’s is Maine, which the DOJ filed a similar suit against in April over its refusal to ban transgender athletes’ participation in sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Billions of dollars in federal funding could be at stake. According to the complaint, the U.S. Department of Education has allocated about $44.3 billion to California for fiscal year 2025, with about $3.8 billion of that still “available for drawdown … including both discretionary grants and formula grants.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Attorneys for the DOJ specifically cite California’s high school track and field championships this year, at which a transgender athlete from Riverside County competed in the girls’ high jump, triple jump and long jump. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The athlete’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12042352/trans-athlete-shines-in-california-high-school-track-finals-ignites-amid-policy-debate\">dominance in some of the events\u003c/a> spurred controversy leading up to the meet, amplified by Trump when he threatened on Truth Social to withhold federal funding from California if it did not prohibit the athlete from competing in alignment with his executive order.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hours later, CIF announced that it would pilot a first-of-its-kind entry process at the track and field competition that allowed an additional athlete to advance to the finals and place in events with a transgender competitor. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the DOJ’s lawsuit, CIF’s rule change allowed for an additional placement in the finals for a “biological female,” and in doing so “acknowledged the inherent athletic advantage males have over ‘biological female[s]’ and that allowing males to compete in female athletic competitions displaces girls and denies girls equal athletic opportunities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Throughout, the lawsuit also jabs at Newsom, who said in a March episode of his podcast “This is Gavin Newsom” that trans athletes’ participation in women’s sports \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12030376/newsom-splits-with-democrats-on-trans-athletes-in-sports\">was “deeply unfair.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The complaint included an email CIF Executive Director Ronald Nocetti sent to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond following the podcast. In the email, Nocetti asked for clarification on the state policy on trans athletes, saying comments made by Newsom “increased the level of confusion and concern of the CIF and our member schools.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>Kaitlyn Chen has had a busy spring.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just weeks after she hoisted the NCAA \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/womens-basketball\">women’s basketball\u003c/a> championship trophy with her University of Connecticut teammates, the point guard, originally from Southern California, was drafted by the WNBA’s newest team, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11986061/get-ready-for-the-golden-state-valkyries-bay-areas-new-wnba-team\">Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s been hectic,” Chen told KQED during preseason training camp in Oakland to determine the team’s final 12-player roster ahead of the May 16 home opener at Chase Center. “The best part is how much everyone cares and everyone really wants you to succeed.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If she makes the team, Chen’s first game with the Valkyries will be against the Los Angeles Sparks — a team she grew up watching play at Crypto.com Arena, formerly Staples Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s definitely a surreal experience,” she said, smiling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s been about a year since the Golden State Valkyries were officially named a WNBA franchise in the league’s first expansion in 17 years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a huge deal,” said Dr. Bonnie Morris, professor of women’s history at UC Berkeley and author of the book \u003cem>What’s the Score? 25 Years of Teaching Women’s Sports History\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12038785\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12038785\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries’ Kaitlyn Chen speaks with the press during training camp held at the Sephora Performance Center in Oakland on May 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>According to Morris, the expansion of the league increases opportunities for women to make a living from the professional sports industry — not just as athletes, but in support roles that range from media to officiating to management.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have more women playing sports than ever before, but we haven’t seen the same revolution in terms of staffing,” Morris said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Women make up much of the Valkyries’ senior leadership, including the president, vice presidents, general manager, director of player development, director of performance, head athletic trainer and head coach.[aside postID=news_12040376 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-21-BL-KQED.jpg']“We get to write our own story,” head coach Natalie Nakase said during a press event on May 1. “I think that’s one of the coolest things. But I’m also telling our players to just be present. Just be where your feet are.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Eighteen players were invited to the 19-day training camp at the Sephora Performance Center in downtown Oakland. Many players have played with or against each other in college, the WNBA and international leagues.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We all have been in each other’s spheres in one way or the other throughout the years. So the communication and the chemistry came a bit more easily because of that,” said Temi Fágbénlé, a center who was one of the Valkyries’ nine expansion draft selections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fágbénlé, who most recently played for the Indiana Fever, won a WNBA championship with the Minnesota Lynx in 2017 and represented Great Britain in women’s basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12038781\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12038781\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries’ Kaitlyn Chen (right) practices during training camp held at the Sephora Performance Center in Oakland on May 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Other WNBA competitors-turned-teammates include guard Kate Martin, formerly with the Las Vegas Aces; forward Monique Billings, who previously played for the Phoenix Mercury; and forward Kayla Thornton, who played for the New York Liberty last season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When it comes to creating chemistry between veterans and rookies like Chen, Nakase said she’s trying to foster a team philosophy that’s “competitive and connected.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means running practices where players aren’t afraid to push and shove, but also making sure players are feeling healthy both mentally and physically, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m big on just having them have a free mind. So whatever that takes — whether I have to adjust to more shooting, to less shooting, to more defense — I’m very flexible. Health is important,” Nakase added. “Once we step on that floor, I want Chase Center and all our fans to feel that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12038786\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12038786\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries’ Head Coach Natalie Nakase speaks with the press during training camp held at the Sephora Performance Center in Oakland on May 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Jessie Lin, a lifelong basketball player and UC Berkeley student, said her family already has tickets to two Valkyries games.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think a lot of young girls are going to be like, ‘This is doable,’” said Lin, who, as an Asian American, is particularly inspired by the drafting of Chen, whose parents are Taiwanese immigrants. “This is the profession I can pursue. And I’m so excited for the visibility.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite all the excitement, Morris acknowledged that a “social lag” in the United States persists when considering professional women’s sports “high level.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The question is now: Can women, fans and investors make the difference for professional women’s leagues?” she said. “I hope so.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Kaitlyn Chen has had a busy spring.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just weeks after she hoisted the NCAA \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/womens-basketball\">women’s basketball\u003c/a> championship trophy with her University of Connecticut teammates, the point guard, originally from Southern California, was drafted by the WNBA’s newest team, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11986061/get-ready-for-the-golden-state-valkyries-bay-areas-new-wnba-team\">Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s been hectic,” Chen told KQED during preseason training camp in Oakland to determine the team’s final 12-player roster ahead of the May 16 home opener at Chase Center. “The best part is how much everyone cares and everyone really wants you to succeed.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If she makes the team, Chen’s first game with the Valkyries will be against the Los Angeles Sparks — a team she grew up watching play at Crypto.com Arena, formerly Staples Center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s definitely a surreal experience,” she said, smiling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s been about a year since the Golden State Valkyries were officially named a WNBA franchise in the league’s first expansion in 17 years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a huge deal,” said Dr. Bonnie Morris, professor of women’s history at UC Berkeley and author of the book \u003cem>What’s the Score? 25 Years of Teaching Women’s Sports History\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12038785\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12038785\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-36-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries’ Kaitlyn Chen speaks with the press during training camp held at the Sephora Performance Center in Oakland on May 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>According to Morris, the expansion of the league increases opportunities for women to make a living from the professional sports industry — not just as athletes, but in support roles that range from media to officiating to management.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have more women playing sports than ever before, but we haven’t seen the same revolution in terms of staffing,” Morris said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Women make up much of the Valkyries’ senior leadership, including the president, vice presidents, general manager, director of player development, director of performance, head athletic trainer and head coach.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“We get to write our own story,” head coach Natalie Nakase said during a press event on May 1. “I think that’s one of the coolest things. But I’m also telling our players to just be present. Just be where your feet are.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Eighteen players were invited to the 19-day training camp at the Sephora Performance Center in downtown Oakland. Many players have played with or against each other in college, the WNBA and international leagues.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We all have been in each other’s spheres in one way or the other throughout the years. So the communication and the chemistry came a bit more easily because of that,” said Temi Fágbénlé, a center who was one of the Valkyries’ nine expansion draft selections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fágbénlé, who most recently played for the Indiana Fever, won a WNBA championship with the Minnesota Lynx in 2017 and represented Great Britain in women’s basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12038781\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12038781\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-11-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries’ Kaitlyn Chen (right) practices during training camp held at the Sephora Performance Center in Oakland on May 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Other WNBA competitors-turned-teammates include guard Kate Martin, formerly with the Las Vegas Aces; forward Monique Billings, who previously played for the Phoenix Mercury; and forward Kayla Thornton, who played for the New York Liberty last season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When it comes to creating chemistry between veterans and rookies like Chen, Nakase said she’s trying to foster a team philosophy that’s “competitive and connected.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means running practices where players aren’t afraid to push and shove, but also making sure players are feeling healthy both mentally and physically, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m big on just having them have a free mind. So whatever that takes — whether I have to adjust to more shooting, to less shooting, to more defense — I’m very flexible. Health is important,” Nakase added. “Once we step on that floor, I want Chase Center and all our fans to feel that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12038786\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12038786\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/250501-VALKYRIESOPENERTEAMPROFILE-38-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Golden State Valkyries’ Head Coach Natalie Nakase speaks with the press during training camp held at the Sephora Performance Center in Oakland on May 1, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Jessie Lin, a lifelong basketball player and UC Berkeley student, said her family already has tickets to two Valkyries games.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think a lot of young girls are going to be like, ‘This is doable,’” said Lin, who, as an Asian American, is particularly inspired by the drafting of Chen, whose parents are Taiwanese immigrants. “This is the profession I can pursue. And I’m so excited for the visibility.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite all the excitement, Morris acknowledged that a “social lag” in the United States persists when considering professional women’s sports “high level.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The question is now: Can women, fans and investors make the difference for professional women’s leagues?” she said. “I hope so.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "the-golden-state-valkyries-begin-their-first-season",
"title": "The Golden State Valkyries Begin Their First Season",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cspan data-slate-fragment=\"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\">The Bay Area is home to the WNBA’s newest team. Tonight, the Golden State Valkyries play their first-ever regular season game at Chase Center. And for women’s sports fans across the region, it’s been a long time coming. The Chronicle’s Marisa Ingemi joins us to preview the Valkyries’ inaugural season.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ci>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/i>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=KQINC4980678843&light=true\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there may be errors.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mel Velasquez \u003c/strong>[00:00:10] Hello, I’m Mel Velasquez. I’m the intern for The Bay and I’m here at Standard Deviant in the Mission. We’re here for the Valkyries preseason game! It’s hosted by Ricky’s, which will be a women’s sports bar that’s opening up in the Castro. And I’m gonna talk to some folks here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marlo Rodriguez \u003c/strong>[00:00:42] My name is Marlo, M-A-R-L-O, and my last name is Rodriguez. And I’m from Oakland, California, and I’m super pumped. I’m really excited about the Valkyries, it’s a long time coming for women’s sports and for the Bay Area to have a team. I love the name. Valkyrie means a woman warrior in Norse language. And it’s very intentional. And I love the colors. It’s just a great representation of women’s sports and the Bay Area and being the sister team for the Warriors. I’m pumped up about the Valkyries and let’s f***ing go!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sean Sandhu \u003c/strong>[00:01:22] My name is Sean Sandhu. Initially I was excited and then I got a little apprehensive and then we watched the pre-season game and I am so pumped now. Because that game was, I mean, at least the second half with so much energy, is some of the best basketball I’ve ever seen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Yergovich \u003c/strong>[00:01:40] My name is Sarah Yergovich. I feel like the San Francisco Bay Area has such a strong women’s sports community and really strong athletes that come from the Bay Area. We just haven’t had that professional basketball team that is kind of the next step following up. So I’m super psyched and super psyched that we’re getting such awesome players on the team and finally seeing them like play their best. So cool.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:04] The Golden State Valkyries will make their debut tonight as the Bay Area’s first WNBA team. And the Valkyries are part of a wave of energy and investment finally going into women’s sports. And the Bay Area is leading the way. Today, we talk with the San Francisco Chronicle’s women’s sports reporter, Marisa Ingemi. About what we can expect from the Valkyries’ inaugural season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:41] I guess to start, Marisa, the Bay Area now has a WNBA team. It’s sort of been a long time coming, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:02:49] It’s been a minute since there was an expansion team. The last one was 2008 with the Atlanta Dream. So when the league was first talking about expansion, the Bay Area was always one of the markets that was brought up first. So the WNBA opened their expansion process, they were looking for bids. And the one they picked was the bid from the Golden State Warriors. Joe Lacob, the Warrior’s owner, he used to own a professional women’s basketball team in the ’90s that actually predated the WNBA, so he’s always been very involved in that. So it kind of seemed like a natural fit. So in the next two years, there’s going to be a wave of WNBA expansion. Next year Toronto Tempo and the unnamed Portland team are coming into the league and the Golden State Valkyries are kind of the first team of that wave. This is kind of the blueprint for everyone else right now with two expansion teams coming in next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:03:46] I mean, why has, I guess, the Bay Area been thought of as one of the first to do this.?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:03:54] Yeah, well, the women’s basketball market is really strong. You have Stanford, you have Cal, and they continuously draw strong audiences for their women’s basketball games. And then just like TV marketability as well like, if you look at like the ratings of which markets are drawing for WNBA games, the Bay Area has consistently been one of the highest out of market ratings. And then a lot of talent has come out of here too. Between Stanford, between Cal. Just local players, Sabrina Ionescu, who’s one of the best players in the WNBA for the New York Liberty, is from here. She’s from Walnut Creek. Chelsea Gray is from here. She just won a championship MVP with the Las Vegas Aces a couple of years ago. So it’s also just one of the bigger markets that didn’t have a team period. But they’re kind of trying to fill out gaps of where there isn’t a presence, and this was kind of one of the more obvious ones.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:04:43] Let’s talk about the team first. How would you describe the team as it stands right now?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:04:49] Expansion teams tend to not play so well. It kind of takes a minute to come together. Expectations should be tempered a little bit. I do think the Valkyries are going to be a very fun team to watch. Their head coach Natalie Nakase, who came over from coaching as an assistant coach with Las Vegas where she won a couple of championships, she’s really wanted an approach of a team that shoots a lot of three-pointers is really aggressive on defense and strong in transition And that’s kind of the way they’ve built their roster. So nine of the players who made the, 12 player opening date roster were taken in the expansion draft. So they really relied on that to take league experience players because some of the players they have are brand new to the league. They wanted to be able to have that veteran presence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:05:32] They have a lot of role players. So players who have come off the bench and produced without that starring role. They have only one player who started more than 30 games last season. So there’s a lot stepping into roles they’ve never had before, which is exciting because you have a few international players who are making their WNBA debuts. People who have watched international women’s basketball are gonna know some of those names or seen them in the Olympics. If you watched the US women’s national team in the Olympics in 2024, when they beat France in the gold medal game, like two of those players are on the Valkyries now after training camp. I think they’ll be a very fun team to watch. I think they’re gonna get some scrappy wins. I think it could surprise some people. I do think people are going to really enjoy watching this team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:06:12] Any players from the Bay Area?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:06:15] No one from the Bay Area specifically, but there are some names that people are going to recognize. Kate Martin is probably the most recognizable name on the roster. She comes from the Las Vegas Aces. She kind of had this viral moment in the WNBA draft in 2024 when she went to support her Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark as a top overall pick, and then she ended up being drafted in the second round. She had the fifth highest selling jersey in the league last season despite being a bench player.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kayla Thornton comes over from the New York Liberty where she just won a championship last year. She was one of their best bench players, really strong defender, shoots a lot of threes, really exciting player. And then I think people are going to really enjoy watching.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Julie Vanloo. She’s a Belgian point guard and she’s 32 years old, but it’s only her second WNBA season. She played for the Washington Mystics last season and was seventh in the WNBA in assists. Really strong distributor, really creative playmaker, can shoot a little bit. It’s interesting because their general manager Ohemaa Nyanin talked recently about how they don’t really have a face of the franchise. And that is kind of true, like Kate Martin a little bit is filling that role just because people know who she is. But for the most part, like this team’s really gonna be able to create your identity as a group and we’ll see who emerges.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:07:57] I know another sort of notable name you mentioned earlier was their coach, Natalie Nakase. I know you’ve interviewed her before. I mean, what’s she like?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:08:06] Very intense. She loves basketball. You can tell like how much this means to her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Natalie Nakase \u003c/strong>[00:08:11] That’s what sports is about, right? That’s the beauty of sports is that you wanna be number one, you wanna be a champion. No one kind of goes back and is like in five years I wanna be number two.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:08:21] She’s a former player at UCLA. She had to retire early in her professional career because of knee injuries and she’s gotten into coaching, she’s coached on the men’s side in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers. She coached under Becky Hammond at the Las Vegas Aces and Hammond was the first woman to be on an NBA coaching staff when she was a coach for the assistant coach for San Antonio Spurs in the 2010s. She Ggoes over to the Aces and really just kind of builds a dynasty over there, and Nakase has kind of been her protege. She has a very specific style she wants to play. She’s very direct. Um, she wants to be that three and D team, as they call it, of a three point shooting team, get those rebounds, play a strong defense. And yeah, she’s been very clear of what she’s looking for from this team. And we’ll see what it looks like with her first year as a head coach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Natalie Nakase \u003c/strong>[00:09:07] Again, like, my dad taught me when I was young, like you always got to be the best. And so I almost feel like he has trained me in a way, or he’s raised me you know, to be where I am today. And so I can’t wait to get get to work. Obviously, this is day one, but I’m just ready to get to work and start achieving that goal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:09:25] And there have already been some pre-season games, right? I mean, what’s it been like to watch them play, so far, what’s their vibe?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:09:33] They had one preseason game at Chase Center where it was more than 17,000 people. I keep telling people I had high expectations and I was blown away. It felt like being at a Warriors game, like it just felt so intense and so real. And that was just a preseason game. We didn’t learn as much as I think we could have hoped in this preseason. Like two games is really short, especially for an expansion team. The whole of camp was less than 21 days. That’s not a lot of time for a brand new professional team to come together. I think we’re going to learn a lot the first few games about what they’re actually going to look like and what their real vibe on the court’s going to be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:10:40] Seems like your main takeaway from the pre-season game so far is really about the fan base and what that sort of looked like. I mean, I feel like I’ve already seen a lot of Valkyries gear out in the wild. And it just feels like people are feeling really excited and really, I mean, already deciding to sort of invest in the team here in the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:11:03] Yeah, I mean, people have been asking for a WNBA team here for a long time and people are kind of all in. We kind of saw last year with Bay FC and the NWSL where there was a pretty strong fan base, even when they struggled kind of early on, people were just so bought in, and I think that the Valkyries fan base is going to be so exciting. It’s going to be very similar where you’re just happy to have a team to support. People have bought into the branding, the vibe of the team. There are so many jerseys out there already. People will have jerseys a couple days after a player signs, and I’m like, how do you have that already? I remember the day they announced their logo and their branding. The next day I saw somebody in a Valkyries hoodie and I was like, how do you have that already? We’ve seen season ticket sales are already the highest they’ve ever been for a WNBA team with more than 10,000 sold. They have the highest median ticket price in the league now, which is significant because they have a big arena. So you would think you’re going to be able to have cheaper tickets because there’s going to more access to a Valkyries game, but the demand is still so high that the ticket prices are high and it’s not necessarily a great thing for people to- not have that access, but it does just show that the demand exists, people are so excited.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:12:10] I feel like it’s not often that we’re talking about a real investment in women’s sports, I mean, it seems like the Valkyries owners are really investing in this WNBA team, and that seems sort of notable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:12:26] Yeah, and that’s kind of been the trend in recent years has been for there to be a more significant investment in women’s sports. Like in the past couple of years, we’ve seen Seattle, Phoenix build the state of the art practice facilities, in Las Vegas as well. And they’ve really mentioned like we need that to keep up as a recruiting tool to get top players to want to come here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So we’re kind of at this weird inflection point in women’s sports right now, where of like the past and the present and the future. Where like very clearly like the audience and the demand are outgrowing the infrastructure that has existed in women’s sports. The ratings are there, the demand is there, the audience is there. And it’s still like taking a minute for like some of these national broadcasters to like put all the games on TV even just like these small little access things that are such like a given in men’s sports? Men’s sports are growing but at a smaller rate. Where women in sports, you’re seeing like crazy numbers as far as it’s like. What percentage audience is growing, what percentage of ticket sales are growing and that investment has to exist just to be competitive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:13:34] So is it just that there is an appetite for more women’s sports? Is that really what’s sort of at the heart of what’s driving this change?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:13:42] Yeah, and I think there’s been an appetite for a long time, and it’s kind of been suppressed. Like, I don’t think it’s all of a sudden, like, oh, people care about women’s sports all of the sudden for no reason. Until very recently you couldn’t watch every WNBA game. You couldn’t watch every NWSL game. You used to have to like go online and go to random websites or I remember watching WNBA games on YouTube like those access points just didn’t exist. And now that they do, the audience is reflecting that. And I don’t think that means that like there’s this random appetite for women’s sports as much as like there has been a demand and it’s finally being met.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:14:17] And what’s your sense of the fan base for the WNBA team so far compared to maybe the men’s basketball teams.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:14:27] Yeah, it’s a little bit different. Like there’s definitely going to be Valkyries fans who are Warriors fans, 49ers fans, because like it’s their local team and they’re excited. Like that definitely exists. But I think that sometimes people don’t realize, the audience for women’s sports can be significantly different because if you’re a 49ers, Giants, Warriors fan, there’s a good chance that was passed down to you, you’re from here, there’s that history, like your parents went to games, season tickets in your family, whatever. Where for women, sports, professional teams, like that hasn’t existed for as long, so like you have to make an active choice to be a part of a women’s sports fandom. So I think a lot of people come into women’s sports for different reasons because they enjoy the players on social media. They enjoy their personalities. They enjoy being in a sports space that doesn’t feel so masculine to them. So you’re going to see some people who are just Valkyries fans or Valkyries Bay FC fans or whatever. A lot of the time, women’s sports fan bases are looking for a lot more accountability. They’re looking for a lot more social change, they’re looking for a lot more of players being accessible as people. Women sports fans are asking for different things and it’s going to be really interesting to see how the Bay kind of evolves and learns from that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:15:37] Well, it seems like a really great time, Marisa, to be a women’s sports writer here in the Bay Area. What are you going to be watching for as the Valkyries start their first season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:15:48] Yeah, it’s going to be interesting just to see how they do on the court. It’s going be interesting to see which rotations on the floor, who works well with each other, which players emerge, like I said. They have so many role players who are being asked to step up, like which ones really do? I think that whoever does, whoever really kind of steps up and produces in big moments are going to be those players that fans learn to love. How much are they going to go try to be more competitive if they’re not? How do they look towards next season? We’re going to learn a lot about the future of this franchise in the next few months.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cspan data-slate-fragment=\"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\">The Bay Area is home to the WNBA’s newest team. Tonight, the Golden State Valkyries play their first-ever regular season game at Chase Center. And for women’s sports fans across the region, it’s been a long time coming. The Chronicle’s Marisa Ingemi joins us to preview the Valkyries’ inaugural season.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ci>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/i>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=KQINC4980678843&light=true\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there may be errors.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mel Velasquez \u003c/strong>[00:00:10] Hello, I’m Mel Velasquez. I’m the intern for The Bay and I’m here at Standard Deviant in the Mission. We’re here for the Valkyries preseason game! It’s hosted by Ricky’s, which will be a women’s sports bar that’s opening up in the Castro. And I’m gonna talk to some folks here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marlo Rodriguez \u003c/strong>[00:00:42] My name is Marlo, M-A-R-L-O, and my last name is Rodriguez. And I’m from Oakland, California, and I’m super pumped. I’m really excited about the Valkyries, it’s a long time coming for women’s sports and for the Bay Area to have a team. I love the name. Valkyrie means a woman warrior in Norse language. And it’s very intentional. And I love the colors. It’s just a great representation of women’s sports and the Bay Area and being the sister team for the Warriors. I’m pumped up about the Valkyries and let’s f***ing go!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sean Sandhu \u003c/strong>[00:01:22] My name is Sean Sandhu. Initially I was excited and then I got a little apprehensive and then we watched the pre-season game and I am so pumped now. Because that game was, I mean, at least the second half with so much energy, is some of the best basketball I’ve ever seen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Yergovich \u003c/strong>[00:01:40] My name is Sarah Yergovich. I feel like the San Francisco Bay Area has such a strong women’s sports community and really strong athletes that come from the Bay Area. We just haven’t had that professional basketball team that is kind of the next step following up. So I’m super psyched and super psyched that we’re getting such awesome players on the team and finally seeing them like play their best. So cool.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:04] The Golden State Valkyries will make their debut tonight as the Bay Area’s first WNBA team. And the Valkyries are part of a wave of energy and investment finally going into women’s sports. And the Bay Area is leading the way. Today, we talk with the San Francisco Chronicle’s women’s sports reporter, Marisa Ingemi. About what we can expect from the Valkyries’ inaugural season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:41] I guess to start, Marisa, the Bay Area now has a WNBA team. It’s sort of been a long time coming, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:02:49] It’s been a minute since there was an expansion team. The last one was 2008 with the Atlanta Dream. So when the league was first talking about expansion, the Bay Area was always one of the markets that was brought up first. So the WNBA opened their expansion process, they were looking for bids. And the one they picked was the bid from the Golden State Warriors. Joe Lacob, the Warrior’s owner, he used to own a professional women’s basketball team in the ’90s that actually predated the WNBA, so he’s always been very involved in that. So it kind of seemed like a natural fit. So in the next two years, there’s going to be a wave of WNBA expansion. Next year Toronto Tempo and the unnamed Portland team are coming into the league and the Golden State Valkyries are kind of the first team of that wave. This is kind of the blueprint for everyone else right now with two expansion teams coming in next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:03:46] I mean, why has, I guess, the Bay Area been thought of as one of the first to do this.?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:03:54] Yeah, well, the women’s basketball market is really strong. You have Stanford, you have Cal, and they continuously draw strong audiences for their women’s basketball games. And then just like TV marketability as well like, if you look at like the ratings of which markets are drawing for WNBA games, the Bay Area has consistently been one of the highest out of market ratings. And then a lot of talent has come out of here too. Between Stanford, between Cal. Just local players, Sabrina Ionescu, who’s one of the best players in the WNBA for the New York Liberty, is from here. She’s from Walnut Creek. Chelsea Gray is from here. She just won a championship MVP with the Las Vegas Aces a couple of years ago. So it’s also just one of the bigger markets that didn’t have a team period. But they’re kind of trying to fill out gaps of where there isn’t a presence, and this was kind of one of the more obvious ones.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:04:43] Let’s talk about the team first. How would you describe the team as it stands right now?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:04:49] Expansion teams tend to not play so well. It kind of takes a minute to come together. Expectations should be tempered a little bit. I do think the Valkyries are going to be a very fun team to watch. Their head coach Natalie Nakase, who came over from coaching as an assistant coach with Las Vegas where she won a couple of championships, she’s really wanted an approach of a team that shoots a lot of three-pointers is really aggressive on defense and strong in transition And that’s kind of the way they’ve built their roster. So nine of the players who made the, 12 player opening date roster were taken in the expansion draft. So they really relied on that to take league experience players because some of the players they have are brand new to the league. They wanted to be able to have that veteran presence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:05:32] They have a lot of role players. So players who have come off the bench and produced without that starring role. They have only one player who started more than 30 games last season. So there’s a lot stepping into roles they’ve never had before, which is exciting because you have a few international players who are making their WNBA debuts. People who have watched international women’s basketball are gonna know some of those names or seen them in the Olympics. If you watched the US women’s national team in the Olympics in 2024, when they beat France in the gold medal game, like two of those players are on the Valkyries now after training camp. I think they’ll be a very fun team to watch. I think they’re gonna get some scrappy wins. I think it could surprise some people. I do think people are going to really enjoy watching this team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:06:12] Any players from the Bay Area?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:06:15] No one from the Bay Area specifically, but there are some names that people are going to recognize. Kate Martin is probably the most recognizable name on the roster. She comes from the Las Vegas Aces. She kind of had this viral moment in the WNBA draft in 2024 when she went to support her Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark as a top overall pick, and then she ended up being drafted in the second round. She had the fifth highest selling jersey in the league last season despite being a bench player.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kayla Thornton comes over from the New York Liberty where she just won a championship last year. She was one of their best bench players, really strong defender, shoots a lot of threes, really exciting player. And then I think people are going to really enjoy watching.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Julie Vanloo. She’s a Belgian point guard and she’s 32 years old, but it’s only her second WNBA season. She played for the Washington Mystics last season and was seventh in the WNBA in assists. Really strong distributor, really creative playmaker, can shoot a little bit. It’s interesting because their general manager Ohemaa Nyanin talked recently about how they don’t really have a face of the franchise. And that is kind of true, like Kate Martin a little bit is filling that role just because people know who she is. But for the most part, like this team’s really gonna be able to create your identity as a group and we’ll see who emerges.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:07:57] I know another sort of notable name you mentioned earlier was their coach, Natalie Nakase. I know you’ve interviewed her before. I mean, what’s she like?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:08:06] Very intense. She loves basketball. You can tell like how much this means to her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Natalie Nakase \u003c/strong>[00:08:11] That’s what sports is about, right? That’s the beauty of sports is that you wanna be number one, you wanna be a champion. No one kind of goes back and is like in five years I wanna be number two.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:08:21] She’s a former player at UCLA. She had to retire early in her professional career because of knee injuries and she’s gotten into coaching, she’s coached on the men’s side in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers. She coached under Becky Hammond at the Las Vegas Aces and Hammond was the first woman to be on an NBA coaching staff when she was a coach for the assistant coach for San Antonio Spurs in the 2010s. She Ggoes over to the Aces and really just kind of builds a dynasty over there, and Nakase has kind of been her protege. She has a very specific style she wants to play. She’s very direct. Um, she wants to be that three and D team, as they call it, of a three point shooting team, get those rebounds, play a strong defense. And yeah, she’s been very clear of what she’s looking for from this team. And we’ll see what it looks like with her first year as a head coach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Natalie Nakase \u003c/strong>[00:09:07] Again, like, my dad taught me when I was young, like you always got to be the best. And so I almost feel like he has trained me in a way, or he’s raised me you know, to be where I am today. And so I can’t wait to get get to work. Obviously, this is day one, but I’m just ready to get to work and start achieving that goal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:09:25] And there have already been some pre-season games, right? I mean, what’s it been like to watch them play, so far, what’s their vibe?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:09:33] They had one preseason game at Chase Center where it was more than 17,000 people. I keep telling people I had high expectations and I was blown away. It felt like being at a Warriors game, like it just felt so intense and so real. And that was just a preseason game. We didn’t learn as much as I think we could have hoped in this preseason. Like two games is really short, especially for an expansion team. The whole of camp was less than 21 days. That’s not a lot of time for a brand new professional team to come together. I think we’re going to learn a lot the first few games about what they’re actually going to look like and what their real vibe on the court’s going to be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:10:40] Seems like your main takeaway from the pre-season game so far is really about the fan base and what that sort of looked like. I mean, I feel like I’ve already seen a lot of Valkyries gear out in the wild. And it just feels like people are feeling really excited and really, I mean, already deciding to sort of invest in the team here in the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:11:03] Yeah, I mean, people have been asking for a WNBA team here for a long time and people are kind of all in. We kind of saw last year with Bay FC and the NWSL where there was a pretty strong fan base, even when they struggled kind of early on, people were just so bought in, and I think that the Valkyries fan base is going to be so exciting. It’s going to be very similar where you’re just happy to have a team to support. People have bought into the branding, the vibe of the team. There are so many jerseys out there already. People will have jerseys a couple days after a player signs, and I’m like, how do you have that already? I remember the day they announced their logo and their branding. The next day I saw somebody in a Valkyries hoodie and I was like, how do you have that already? We’ve seen season ticket sales are already the highest they’ve ever been for a WNBA team with more than 10,000 sold. They have the highest median ticket price in the league now, which is significant because they have a big arena. So you would think you’re going to be able to have cheaper tickets because there’s going to more access to a Valkyries game, but the demand is still so high that the ticket prices are high and it’s not necessarily a great thing for people to- not have that access, but it does just show that the demand exists, people are so excited.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:12:10] I feel like it’s not often that we’re talking about a real investment in women’s sports, I mean, it seems like the Valkyries owners are really investing in this WNBA team, and that seems sort of notable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:12:26] Yeah, and that’s kind of been the trend in recent years has been for there to be a more significant investment in women’s sports. Like in the past couple of years, we’ve seen Seattle, Phoenix build the state of the art practice facilities, in Las Vegas as well. And they’ve really mentioned like we need that to keep up as a recruiting tool to get top players to want to come here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So we’re kind of at this weird inflection point in women’s sports right now, where of like the past and the present and the future. Where like very clearly like the audience and the demand are outgrowing the infrastructure that has existed in women’s sports. The ratings are there, the demand is there, the audience is there. And it’s still like taking a minute for like some of these national broadcasters to like put all the games on TV even just like these small little access things that are such like a given in men’s sports? Men’s sports are growing but at a smaller rate. Where women in sports, you’re seeing like crazy numbers as far as it’s like. What percentage audience is growing, what percentage of ticket sales are growing and that investment has to exist just to be competitive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:13:34] So is it just that there is an appetite for more women’s sports? Is that really what’s sort of at the heart of what’s driving this change?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:13:42] Yeah, and I think there’s been an appetite for a long time, and it’s kind of been suppressed. Like, I don’t think it’s all of a sudden, like, oh, people care about women’s sports all of the sudden for no reason. Until very recently you couldn’t watch every WNBA game. You couldn’t watch every NWSL game. You used to have to like go online and go to random websites or I remember watching WNBA games on YouTube like those access points just didn’t exist. And now that they do, the audience is reflecting that. And I don’t think that means that like there’s this random appetite for women’s sports as much as like there has been a demand and it’s finally being met.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:14:17] And what’s your sense of the fan base for the WNBA team so far compared to maybe the men’s basketball teams.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:14:27] Yeah, it’s a little bit different. Like there’s definitely going to be Valkyries fans who are Warriors fans, 49ers fans, because like it’s their local team and they’re excited. Like that definitely exists. But I think that sometimes people don’t realize, the audience for women’s sports can be significantly different because if you’re a 49ers, Giants, Warriors fan, there’s a good chance that was passed down to you, you’re from here, there’s that history, like your parents went to games, season tickets in your family, whatever. Where for women, sports, professional teams, like that hasn’t existed for as long, so like you have to make an active choice to be a part of a women’s sports fandom. So I think a lot of people come into women’s sports for different reasons because they enjoy the players on social media. They enjoy their personalities. They enjoy being in a sports space that doesn’t feel so masculine to them. So you’re going to see some people who are just Valkyries fans or Valkyries Bay FC fans or whatever. A lot of the time, women’s sports fan bases are looking for a lot more accountability. They’re looking for a lot more social change, they’re looking for a lot more of players being accessible as people. Women sports fans are asking for different things and it’s going to be really interesting to see how the Bay kind of evolves and learns from that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:15:37] Well, it seems like a really great time, Marisa, to be a women’s sports writer here in the Bay Area. What are you going to be watching for as the Valkyries start their first season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Ingemi \u003c/strong>[00:15:48] Yeah, it’s going to be interesting just to see how they do on the court. It’s going be interesting to see which rotations on the floor, who works well with each other, which players emerge, like I said. They have so many role players who are being asked to step up, like which ones really do? I think that whoever does, whoever really kind of steps up and produces in big moments are going to be those players that fans learn to love. How much are they going to go try to be more competitive if they’re not? How do they look towards next season? We’re going to learn a lot about the future of this franchise in the next few months.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "How Anti-Trans Politics Made San José State’s Volleyball Team a National Target",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">On February 5, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, fulfilling a promise he made on the campaign trail. Subsequently, the U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation into San José State University for allowing a transgender athlete to play on the volleyball team. Today, we’re revisiting an episode from December 2024 about how San José State’s volleyball team got caught up in the fight over women’s sports. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12016463/how-anti-trans-politics-loomed-over-san-jose-states-volleyball-season\">\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">This episode first ran on Dec. 4, 2024.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Links:\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12025974/federal-officials-investigate-san-jose-state-under-trumps-order-trans-athletes\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">NCAA Bars Trans Athletes as Federal Officials Launch Investigation of San José State\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=KQINC9811486855&light=true\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there are errors.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:01:36] \u003c/em>Natalia, I wonder if we can start with just this San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State volleyball game that you went to, which I’m very curious about and just set the scene for me. Like, what was that like? What was the mood at this volleyball game?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:01:53] \u003c/em>Yeah, it was just a volleyball game for the most part.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:02:02] \u003c/em>I hadn’t been to a volleyball game in a really long time, so I was surprised, like how exciting it was. It’s a very, like fast paced game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:02:16] \u003c/em>When I went it was San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State playing University of New Mexico. And it was just exciting. There were really they’re both making points. It was really cool. There are a good amount of spectators there. You know, people’s parents and other students. And for the most part, it looked like any other game. There were some security people there sort of escorting players around and like making sure that people didn’t go in this one area where the players were. There were several students there holding signs in support of the team. There was one protester who was holding a sign that said Protect women’s Sports to oppose the fact that this team was playing with all of its players there. But other than that, it was it was a normal college sports game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:03:14] \u003c/em>Which is really interesting because that is different from how it seems like the rest of the country is talking about San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State right now. And I want to talk about how that all started. I mean, the person who really thrust the team into the spotlight was San Jose State’s volleyball team, co-captain Brooke Slusser. Who is Brooke Slusser?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:03:41] \u003c/em>Yeah, she’s like you said, one of the co-captains of the team. She’s played on San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State for a couple of years. She played at a different college before that. So at some point earlier this year, Brooke Slusser, according to her court documents, here’s rumors that one of her teammates is trans. According to these documents, she’s really confused and upset about this information, but mostly keeps it to herself until an article comes out on an opinion site about this player. And then they have a conversation and which, according to Brooke, this player tells her that she’s trans. And Brooke says that she doesn’t want the player to be bullied but doesn’t think that she should be playing on the team. Brooks-lasure was reached out to by this group called Icons. It stands for Independent Counsel on Women’s Sports. They’re essentially an anti-trans advocacy group who is funding Reilly Gaines lawsuit against the NCAA to try to keep trans players out of the NCAA. A rally gains as a former college swimmer and now an anti-trans advocate. And so they approached Brooke Slusser and brought her in as an additional plaintiff on this lawsuit. And she, you know, told the court that her teammate is trans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:05:12] \u003c/em>So this happened in September, right? When Slusser joined this already existing lawsuit brought forward first by a former college swimmer named Riley Gaines. What is this lawsuit about exactly? What is it, I guess ultimately seeking to do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:05:31] \u003c/em>The overall relief that they are seeking is really quite broad. The lawsuit is seeking to ban trans athletes from college sports, trying to get the court to agree that including them violates Title nine, which is the federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex and educational settings. Also to go back into the history of things and rescind any records or wins from trans athletes. It will require sex verification to make sure there are no trans athletes playing. This would really change how Title nine is being used in in terms of trans bans and stuff like that in courts. Right now, courts have allowed a lot of states to ban trans people from sports. What this would do if this went the way of the plaintiffs is it would say not only can they ban trans people from sports, they actually have to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:06:39] \u003c/em>And I mean, why exactly did Slusser get involved in this lawsuit in the first place? What does she say about her teammates specifically?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:06:49] \u003c/em>I reached out to her to talk about this. You never go back to me, but she did talk on Megan Kelley’s podcast. She’s talk on Fox.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Brooke Slusser: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:06:58] \u003c/em>Everything in my body was like, this is so wrong. It’s not fair. It shouldn’t be happening.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:04] \u003c/em>She says that her teammate, who she says is trans, is more physically imposing than her, her fellow teammates, that she just has an unbeatable power that puts her and her teammates at risk of injury.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Brooke Slusser: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:20] \u003c/em>Again, the power behind this swing is just so different. And if you’re not completely prepared for it, you will get blown up. And that’s the scariest part, because that could end your career.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:31] \u003c/em>She’s saying that, you know, having a player that was born male makes it unfair for her and also dangerous for her and her teammates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Brooke Slusser: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:41] \u003c/em>And so I think at the end of the day, I just got so far up, I was like, I want to be able to make this change for other people coming into collegiate sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:48] \u003c/em>I mean, Slusser is alleging, first of all, that she has a trans teammate. But has this teammate said anything publicly about this or her gender identity?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:59] \u003c/em>So your listeners will notice that we are not saying her name, and that’s because she hasn’t said anything publicly about her gender identity. San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State has not provided any information about her gender identity. They cite privacy laws and they have maintained that all of their players meet NCAA, a Mountain West Conference rules and that’s all they will say about it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:08:24] \u003c/em>But we do know who she is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:08:27] \u003c/em>Yes, we do know who she is. Her name has been very much out there. The lawsuits and the articles on conservative sites that Brooke Slusser and others have commented on frequently use him pronouns for this player and generally talk pretty directly about her physicality, etc.. We’re not doing that, but it’s definitely out there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:08:56] \u003c/em>I mean, what do we know about whether Brooke’s allegations are, in fact, true? Like, does this player have any clear physical advantages compared to her teammates?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:09:08] \u003c/em>It seems like no. This player has played for San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State for a couple of years, has played at a previous university, and there were no problems that I could find. One of the things that Brooke Slusser and others have said is that, you know, she’s she’s so physically imposing and yet she’s about six one. I looked at the roster for the team and more than half a dozen of the players on that team are above six feet. Volleyball players on the whole are usually quite tall. She’s not even the tallest one on San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State University’s team. I talked to a lot of experts who deal with inclusion in sports and who, you know, have read the science and they say that there is no evidence that there is any sort of universal advantage that trans women have in sports, especially once they’ve transitioned medically. Oftentimes, trans women have lower testosterone levels than cisgender women.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:10:18] \u003c/em>According to Slusser, her teammates spikes the ball as fast as 80 mph, which would make her as strong as some of the best men’s players ever. But ESPN analyzed the speed of the teammates spikes in five different games, including ones that went viral. ESPN found that the average speed of those spikes was just over 50 mph, and the fastest was estimated at 64 mph.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:10:54] \u003c/em>So, Natalia, I mean, how do trans women join a college sports team? Are there special rules that they have to follow in order to qualify?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:11:04] \u003c/em>Yeah, there are. In terms of the NCAA, who manages most college sports teams, their rules generally are that someone has to have medically transitioned, which usually means taking of hormones like testosterone or estrogen, usually. And they have to have been on that for a certain amount of time. The rules are pretty complicated and spread out to various things for various different sports. But generally, those who have medically transitioned can join sports. Sometimes that means the NCAA will require them to do particular hormone checks throughout the year. But current NCAA rules say that they can play in the sport that aligns with their gender identity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:11:50] \u003c/em>Yeah, I mean, and how many people are we actually talking about? How many trans players are actually participating right now in college sports? What do we know about that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:11:58] \u003c/em>Overall, trans people are a really small portion of the American population. And trans athletes are even smaller portion of that small portion. And the ones that make it to the level of Division one, college sports, it’s kind of very small.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:12:17] \u003c/em>So Brooke Slusser and the other people behind the lawsuit are basically arguing that the NCAA rules allowing trans athletes to play violate civil rights law, in particular, Title IX. What are the arguments around that? What have you heard?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:12:34] \u003c/em>Yeah. I reached out to the plaintiffs lawyers, Brooks Loesser’s, lawyers and others on the NCAA lawsuit, and none of them got back to me for comment. But from the lawsuit, basically they do say exactly that. They just say allowing trans people to play on women’s sports teams in itself violates Title IX.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:12:54] \u003c/em>On the other hand, you did talk with people who disagree with that interpretation of Title IX, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:13:00] \u003c/em>Yeah, exactly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Shiwali Patel: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:13:02] \u003c/em>This would just lead to an incredible marginalization of an already marginalized group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:13:08] \u003c/em>I talked to a lawyer at the National Women’s Law Center show, Shiwali Patel. She’s a title IX expert, and she had not great things to say about this lawsuit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Shiwali Patel: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:13:20] \u003c/em>Title IX can’t be used to justify exclusion of a vulnerable group of students from equal educational opportunities based on how they look or play or who they are. What these plaintiffs are seeking to do is to really turn Title nine on its head and to remove it from its purpose of equal educational opportunity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:13:39] \u003c/em>She says that this is not really doing anything to protect women’s sports. There’s a lot less access to facilities. There is a lot less funding, there’s a lot less research in order to to prevent injury. Like there’s a lot of stuff here that needs to be done in terms of protecting women in sports. And she says that none of that has anything to do with kicking trans people out of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Shiwali Patel: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:14:06] \u003c/em>There are well-documented actual issues when it comes to gender inequity in sport that if they were to put their resources and time into that, they could be fighting to achieve gender equity. This is not one of them, you know, and trying to exclude trans women and girls from women and girls sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:14:23] \u003c/em>I know you talked to people who think that banning trans women from sports is part of this larger effort to restrict LGBTQ rights more broadly. What do you hear from people you spoke to about that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:14:36] \u003c/em>I talked to Erin Reid, who is an independent journalist who covers anti-trans legislation all over the country. And she had a really interesting thought about this, that it really isn’t about any sort of particular advantage, that it’s just about discrimination.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Erin Reed: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:14:56] \u003c/em>To be clear, you know, we are seeing bans not just in, you know, heavy impact sports, but we’re also seeing bans on transgender athletes and sports like chess and darts and fishing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:15:10] \u003c/em>And she thought that it was interesting that this is folk focusing on sports because she mentioned that she has heard from conservative pundits that sports is actually an easy way to get people who are against the LGBTQ community. It’s an easy entry point for them to start talking about trans issues.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Erin Reed: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:15:34] \u003c/em>And many of the same states that started with transgender participation in sports, in fact, not just many. Virtually all of the states, with the exception of Alaska, have gone on to pass gender affirming caravans for trans youth, have gone on to pass other bills like don’t say gay, don’t say trans. We see book bans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:15:51] \u003c/em>I mean, I can’t imagine. What the last few months must have been like for the San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State volleyball team. I mean, how often did this issue come up for San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State this season?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:16:06] \u003c/em>It was kind of a constant. Several universities forfeited their games against San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State and that’s part of what made the news so big because they refused to play the team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:16:21] \u003c/em>And to be clear, these teams were forfeiting in protest of this teammate that Slusser alleges is trans. Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:16:29] \u003c/em>That’s, I think, a safe assumption. But we don’t know that for sure. Most of the the universities have not said that per se.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Sia Li’ili’i: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:16:40] \u003c/em>At the beginning of this season, brave women across our conference were meeting with their coaches and school administration, telling them that they would not play against San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:16:49] \u003c/em>But for example, in in the case of the University of Nevada, Reno, several of the players from that team attended a rally put on by icons, which is that anti-trans organization that’s funding the lawsuit against the NCAA and spoke about the fact that they are against this supposedly trans player being a part of the team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Sia Li’ili’i: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:17:12] \u003c/em>I never expected to be blindsided having to compete against a male athlete. I will continue to fight for my friends, my family, and the next generation of female athletes. All female athletes deserve to be protected at every level and every age. This is unfair and it has to be stopped.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:17:36] \u003c/em>The team while having a obviously a very tough season. And I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be on that team right now. I’m sure that the conversations that are happening are really hard. But they were able to make it to the postseason. And just this past week, they played at the Mountain West Conference tournament and had another high profile forfeit from Boise State. But that got them into the into the final match against Colorado. And they did lose that match, but they made it all the way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:18:14] \u003c/em>What if folks from the team said about what this season has been like for them? I mean, sponsor other teammates, the coaches? Have they said anything publicly about what this season has been like?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:18:25] \u003c/em>You know, the whole team has been pretty tight lipped about this. I get the sense that they’re being told by the university and maybe probably by legal advisers at the university to not say anything publicly. So I did not get any responses to my questions about these things from players and from coaches. They were never available after games to talk. Brooks-lasure has talked about, obviously the the lawsuit itself, but we don’t have that much of an insight into what the daily life is and what the daily practices are like for this team. If you took away all of the context and you were just watching them play, I don’t think you would really know that all of this stuff was going on because the two players, Brooks Lesser and the teammate that she says is trans, that she is in court trying to get out of her team. They are playing right next to each other and they’re, you know, for doing pretty well. They won the game. But I went to go see.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:19:33] \u003c/em>San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State’s women’s volleyball season has ended, right? It ended last week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:19:40] \u003c/em>Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:19:41] \u003c/em>But how do you think this story could still have ripple effects even beyond San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:19:47] \u003c/em>Yeah, I think it is really much bigger than San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State. And when we’re talking about sort of trickle down effects of this this sort of lawsuit and this sort of larger political conversation about trans people in sports, is that it can affect people of all gender identities. We could talk about the Olympics this past summer and the Algerian boxer, Amani Khalifa, who is a cisgender woman who people sort of decided, maybe she’s trans. And it became this whole thing. Another example is the situation that happened in Utah, which does have a trans sports ban in place. There was a girl playing high school sports and someone on the athletics association and in relation to the school thought that she was trans. And then there was this whole investigation into this child’s gender, unbeknownst to her or her parents. It can really be a problem where we’re now people are sort of pointing fingers at people, young girls and women who maybe don’t fit gender stereotypes and and now have to somehow prove that they are who they say they are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:21:07] \u003c/em>Natalia, thank you so much for walking us through this story. I really appreciate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:21:12] \u003c/em>It. Thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "President Trump recently banned transgender athletes from women's sports. We revisit this episode on how SJSU got caught in the fray. ",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">On February 5, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, fulfilling a promise he made on the campaign trail. Subsequently, the U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation into San José State University for allowing a transgender athlete to play on the volleyball team. Today, we’re revisiting an episode from December 2024 about how San José State’s volleyball team got caught up in the fight over women’s sports. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12016463/how-anti-trans-politics-loomed-over-san-jose-states-volleyball-season\">\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">This episode first ran on Dec. 4, 2024.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Links:\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12025974/federal-officials-investigate-san-jose-state-under-trumps-order-trans-athletes\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">NCAA Bars Trans Athletes as Federal Officials Launch Investigation of San José State\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=KQINC9811486855&light=true\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there are errors.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:01:36] \u003c/em>Natalia, I wonder if we can start with just this San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State volleyball game that you went to, which I’m very curious about and just set the scene for me. Like, what was that like? What was the mood at this volleyball game?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:01:53] \u003c/em>Yeah, it was just a volleyball game for the most part.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:02:02] \u003c/em>I hadn’t been to a volleyball game in a really long time, so I was surprised, like how exciting it was. It’s a very, like fast paced game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:02:16] \u003c/em>When I went it was San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State playing University of New Mexico. And it was just exciting. There were really they’re both making points. It was really cool. There are a good amount of spectators there. You know, people’s parents and other students. And for the most part, it looked like any other game. There were some security people there sort of escorting players around and like making sure that people didn’t go in this one area where the players were. There were several students there holding signs in support of the team. There was one protester who was holding a sign that said Protect women’s Sports to oppose the fact that this team was playing with all of its players there. But other than that, it was it was a normal college sports game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:03:14] \u003c/em>Which is really interesting because that is different from how it seems like the rest of the country is talking about San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State right now. And I want to talk about how that all started. I mean, the person who really thrust the team into the spotlight was San Jose State’s volleyball team, co-captain Brooke Slusser. Who is Brooke Slusser?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:03:41] \u003c/em>Yeah, she’s like you said, one of the co-captains of the team. She’s played on San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State for a couple of years. She played at a different college before that. So at some point earlier this year, Brooke Slusser, according to her court documents, here’s rumors that one of her teammates is trans. According to these documents, she’s really confused and upset about this information, but mostly keeps it to herself until an article comes out on an opinion site about this player. And then they have a conversation and which, according to Brooke, this player tells her that she’s trans. And Brooke says that she doesn’t want the player to be bullied but doesn’t think that she should be playing on the team. Brooks-lasure was reached out to by this group called Icons. It stands for Independent Counsel on Women’s Sports. They’re essentially an anti-trans advocacy group who is funding Reilly Gaines lawsuit against the NCAA to try to keep trans players out of the NCAA. A rally gains as a former college swimmer and now an anti-trans advocate. And so they approached Brooke Slusser and brought her in as an additional plaintiff on this lawsuit. And she, you know, told the court that her teammate is trans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:05:12] \u003c/em>So this happened in September, right? When Slusser joined this already existing lawsuit brought forward first by a former college swimmer named Riley Gaines. What is this lawsuit about exactly? What is it, I guess ultimately seeking to do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:05:31] \u003c/em>The overall relief that they are seeking is really quite broad. The lawsuit is seeking to ban trans athletes from college sports, trying to get the court to agree that including them violates Title nine, which is the federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex and educational settings. Also to go back into the history of things and rescind any records or wins from trans athletes. It will require sex verification to make sure there are no trans athletes playing. This would really change how Title nine is being used in in terms of trans bans and stuff like that in courts. Right now, courts have allowed a lot of states to ban trans people from sports. What this would do if this went the way of the plaintiffs is it would say not only can they ban trans people from sports, they actually have to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:06:39] \u003c/em>And I mean, why exactly did Slusser get involved in this lawsuit in the first place? What does she say about her teammates specifically?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:06:49] \u003c/em>I reached out to her to talk about this. You never go back to me, but she did talk on Megan Kelley’s podcast. She’s talk on Fox.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Brooke Slusser: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:06:58] \u003c/em>Everything in my body was like, this is so wrong. It’s not fair. It shouldn’t be happening.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:04] \u003c/em>She says that her teammate, who she says is trans, is more physically imposing than her, her fellow teammates, that she just has an unbeatable power that puts her and her teammates at risk of injury.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Brooke Slusser: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:20] \u003c/em>Again, the power behind this swing is just so different. And if you’re not completely prepared for it, you will get blown up. And that’s the scariest part, because that could end your career.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:31] \u003c/em>She’s saying that, you know, having a player that was born male makes it unfair for her and also dangerous for her and her teammates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Brooke Slusser: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:41] \u003c/em>And so I think at the end of the day, I just got so far up, I was like, I want to be able to make this change for other people coming into collegiate sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:48] \u003c/em>I mean, Slusser is alleging, first of all, that she has a trans teammate. But has this teammate said anything publicly about this or her gender identity?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:07:59] \u003c/em>So your listeners will notice that we are not saying her name, and that’s because she hasn’t said anything publicly about her gender identity. San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State has not provided any information about her gender identity. They cite privacy laws and they have maintained that all of their players meet NCAA, a Mountain West Conference rules and that’s all they will say about it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:08:24] \u003c/em>But we do know who she is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:08:27] \u003c/em>Yes, we do know who she is. Her name has been very much out there. The lawsuits and the articles on conservative sites that Brooke Slusser and others have commented on frequently use him pronouns for this player and generally talk pretty directly about her physicality, etc.. We’re not doing that, but it’s definitely out there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:08:56] \u003c/em>I mean, what do we know about whether Brooke’s allegations are, in fact, true? Like, does this player have any clear physical advantages compared to her teammates?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:09:08] \u003c/em>It seems like no. This player has played for San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State for a couple of years, has played at a previous university, and there were no problems that I could find. One of the things that Brooke Slusser and others have said is that, you know, she’s she’s so physically imposing and yet she’s about six one. I looked at the roster for the team and more than half a dozen of the players on that team are above six feet. Volleyball players on the whole are usually quite tall. She’s not even the tallest one on San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State University’s team. I talked to a lot of experts who deal with inclusion in sports and who, you know, have read the science and they say that there is no evidence that there is any sort of universal advantage that trans women have in sports, especially once they’ve transitioned medically. Oftentimes, trans women have lower testosterone levels than cisgender women.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:10:18] \u003c/em>According to Slusser, her teammates spikes the ball as fast as 80 mph, which would make her as strong as some of the best men’s players ever. But ESPN analyzed the speed of the teammates spikes in five different games, including ones that went viral. ESPN found that the average speed of those spikes was just over 50 mph, and the fastest was estimated at 64 mph.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:10:54] \u003c/em>So, Natalia, I mean, how do trans women join a college sports team? Are there special rules that they have to follow in order to qualify?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:11:04] \u003c/em>Yeah, there are. In terms of the NCAA, who manages most college sports teams, their rules generally are that someone has to have medically transitioned, which usually means taking of hormones like testosterone or estrogen, usually. And they have to have been on that for a certain amount of time. The rules are pretty complicated and spread out to various things for various different sports. But generally, those who have medically transitioned can join sports. Sometimes that means the NCAA will require them to do particular hormone checks throughout the year. But current NCAA rules say that they can play in the sport that aligns with their gender identity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:11:50] \u003c/em>Yeah, I mean, and how many people are we actually talking about? How many trans players are actually participating right now in college sports? What do we know about that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:11:58] \u003c/em>Overall, trans people are a really small portion of the American population. And trans athletes are even smaller portion of that small portion. And the ones that make it to the level of Division one, college sports, it’s kind of very small.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:12:17] \u003c/em>So Brooke Slusser and the other people behind the lawsuit are basically arguing that the NCAA rules allowing trans athletes to play violate civil rights law, in particular, Title IX. What are the arguments around that? What have you heard?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:12:34] \u003c/em>Yeah. I reached out to the plaintiffs lawyers, Brooks Loesser’s, lawyers and others on the NCAA lawsuit, and none of them got back to me for comment. But from the lawsuit, basically they do say exactly that. They just say allowing trans people to play on women’s sports teams in itself violates Title IX.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:12:54] \u003c/em>On the other hand, you did talk with people who disagree with that interpretation of Title IX, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:13:00] \u003c/em>Yeah, exactly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Shiwali Patel: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:13:02] \u003c/em>This would just lead to an incredible marginalization of an already marginalized group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:13:08] \u003c/em>I talked to a lawyer at the National Women’s Law Center show, Shiwali Patel. She’s a title IX expert, and she had not great things to say about this lawsuit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Shiwali Patel: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:13:20] \u003c/em>Title IX can’t be used to justify exclusion of a vulnerable group of students from equal educational opportunities based on how they look or play or who they are. What these plaintiffs are seeking to do is to really turn Title nine on its head and to remove it from its purpose of equal educational opportunity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:13:39] \u003c/em>She says that this is not really doing anything to protect women’s sports. There’s a lot less access to facilities. There is a lot less funding, there’s a lot less research in order to to prevent injury. Like there’s a lot of stuff here that needs to be done in terms of protecting women in sports. And she says that none of that has anything to do with kicking trans people out of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Shiwali Patel: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:14:06] \u003c/em>There are well-documented actual issues when it comes to gender inequity in sport that if they were to put their resources and time into that, they could be fighting to achieve gender equity. This is not one of them, you know, and trying to exclude trans women and girls from women and girls sports.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:14:23] \u003c/em>I know you talked to people who think that banning trans women from sports is part of this larger effort to restrict LGBTQ rights more broadly. What do you hear from people you spoke to about that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:14:36] \u003c/em>I talked to Erin Reid, who is an independent journalist who covers anti-trans legislation all over the country. And she had a really interesting thought about this, that it really isn’t about any sort of particular advantage, that it’s just about discrimination.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Erin Reed: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:14:56] \u003c/em>To be clear, you know, we are seeing bans not just in, you know, heavy impact sports, but we’re also seeing bans on transgender athletes and sports like chess and darts and fishing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:15:10] \u003c/em>And she thought that it was interesting that this is folk focusing on sports because she mentioned that she has heard from conservative pundits that sports is actually an easy way to get people who are against the LGBTQ community. It’s an easy entry point for them to start talking about trans issues.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Erin Reed: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:15:34] \u003c/em>And many of the same states that started with transgender participation in sports, in fact, not just many. Virtually all of the states, with the exception of Alaska, have gone on to pass gender affirming caravans for trans youth, have gone on to pass other bills like don’t say gay, don’t say trans. We see book bans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:15:51] \u003c/em>I mean, I can’t imagine. What the last few months must have been like for the San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State volleyball team. I mean, how often did this issue come up for San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State this season?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:16:06] \u003c/em>It was kind of a constant. Several universities forfeited their games against San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State and that’s part of what made the news so big because they refused to play the team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:16:21] \u003c/em>And to be clear, these teams were forfeiting in protest of this teammate that Slusser alleges is trans. Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:16:29] \u003c/em>That’s, I think, a safe assumption. But we don’t know that for sure. Most of the the universities have not said that per se.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Sia Li’ili’i: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:16:40] \u003c/em>At the beginning of this season, brave women across our conference were meeting with their coaches and school administration, telling them that they would not play against San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:16:49] \u003c/em>But for example, in in the case of the University of Nevada, Reno, several of the players from that team attended a rally put on by icons, which is that anti-trans organization that’s funding the lawsuit against the NCAA and spoke about the fact that they are against this supposedly trans player being a part of the team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Sia Li’ili’i: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:17:12] \u003c/em>I never expected to be blindsided having to compete against a male athlete. I will continue to fight for my friends, my family, and the next generation of female athletes. All female athletes deserve to be protected at every level and every age. This is unfair and it has to be stopped.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:17:36] \u003c/em>The team while having a obviously a very tough season. And I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be on that team right now. I’m sure that the conversations that are happening are really hard. But they were able to make it to the postseason. And just this past week, they played at the Mountain West Conference tournament and had another high profile forfeit from Boise State. But that got them into the into the final match against Colorado. And they did lose that match, but they made it all the way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:18:14] \u003c/em>What if folks from the team said about what this season has been like for them? I mean, sponsor other teammates, the coaches? Have they said anything publicly about what this season has been like?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:18:25] \u003c/em>You know, the whole team has been pretty tight lipped about this. I get the sense that they’re being told by the university and maybe probably by legal advisers at the university to not say anything publicly. So I did not get any responses to my questions about these things from players and from coaches. They were never available after games to talk. Brooks-lasure has talked about, obviously the the lawsuit itself, but we don’t have that much of an insight into what the daily life is and what the daily practices are like for this team. If you took away all of the context and you were just watching them play, I don’t think you would really know that all of this stuff was going on because the two players, Brooks Lesser and the teammate that she says is trans, that she is in court trying to get out of her team. They are playing right next to each other and they’re, you know, for doing pretty well. They won the game. But I went to go see.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:19:33] \u003c/em>San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State’s women’s volleyball season has ended, right? It ended last week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:19:40] \u003c/em>Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:19:41] \u003c/em>But how do you think this story could still have ripple effects even beyond San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:19:47] \u003c/em>Yeah, I think it is really much bigger than San \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José\u003c/span> State. And when we’re talking about sort of trickle down effects of this this sort of lawsuit and this sort of larger political conversation about trans people in sports, is that it can affect people of all gender identities. We could talk about the Olympics this past summer and the Algerian boxer, Amani Khalifa, who is a cisgender woman who people sort of decided, maybe she’s trans. And it became this whole thing. Another example is the situation that happened in Utah, which does have a trans sports ban in place. There was a girl playing high school sports and someone on the athletics association and in relation to the school thought that she was trans. And then there was this whole investigation into this child’s gender, unbeknownst to her or her parents. It can really be a problem where we’re now people are sort of pointing fingers at people, young girls and women who maybe don’t fit gender stereotypes and and now have to somehow prove that they are who they say they are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:21:07] \u003c/em>Natalia, thank you so much for walking us through this story. I really appreciate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Natalia Navarro: \u003c/b>\u003cem>[00:21:12] \u003c/em>It. Thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "NCAA Bars Trans Athletes as Federal Officials Launch Investigation of San José State",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 4:10 p.m. Thursday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hours after federal education officials on Thursday announced an investigation into \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-jose-state-university\">San José State University\u003c/a> for alleged Title IX violations, the NCAA said it would ban transgender students from participating in women’s sports in line with a new executive order from President Trump.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SJSU has been at the center of a nationwide debate since a women’s volleyball player and others sued last year, seeking to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12015114/anti-trans-lawsuit-seeks-ban-san-jose-state-volleyball-player-tournament\">bar a player they said was transgender\u003c/a>. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights will look into whether the school discriminated against female athletes and jeopardized their right to equal opportunity and fair play, according to a press release.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“San José State University is committed to ensuring that all of our students, including our student-athletes, are treated fairly, free from discrimination, and afforded the rights and protections granted under federal and state law, including privacy rights,” President Cynthia Teniente-Matson said in a statement on Thursday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Our focus remains on our values including fostering an environment that cultivates compassion, where every student has the opportunity to thrive,” Teniente-Matson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The NCAA, which has also faced public criticism for allowing transgender athletes to compete on women’s teams, announced Thursday afternoon that it is changing its participation policy to align with the federal regulations established by Trump. Under the association’s new policy, student-athletes who are assigned male at birth will be prohibited from competing on a women’s team regardless of gender identity, although the rule also applies to cisgender female athletes who are taking testosterone treatments.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12015202\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12015202\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The San José State Spartans volleyball team jumps for the ball during their home game against the University of New Mexico Lobos on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. \u003ccite>(Natalia Navarro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The policy changes do not affect NCAA competitive men’s sports, and all students will still be permitted to practice on a team consistent with their gender identity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We strongly believe that clear, consistent, and uniform eligibility standards would best serve today’s student-athletes instead of a patchwork of conflicting state laws and court decisions,” Charlie Baker, NCAA president, said in a statement on Wednesday. “To that end, President Trump’s order provides a clear, national standard.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tom Temprano, managing director of the nonprofit Equality California, said the NCAA’s decision is deeply disappointing and further marginalizes vulnerable students who actually make up a very small percentage of student-athletes. Less than 0.002% of NCAA athletes are transgender, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is not about aligning with federal policy,” Temprano said. “Trump does not get to dictate from on high what the laws are in the United States of America. Congress was the one that enacted Title IX to outlaw sex discrimination in schools for all students.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Institutions need to band together to resist the Trump administration instead of following its orders blindly, Temprano said, adding that now is the time for schools to reaffirm their commitment to protecting their transgender athletes and students.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Under the \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/keeping-men-out-of-womens-sports/\">executive order\u003c/a>, the latest in a series of directives targeting transgender people and what the president has labeled “Gender Ideology Extremism,” federal agencies are directed to withhold funding from institutions that allow transgender students to participate in sports teams that do not align with their biological sex. According to the Trump administration, the order protects female students from the biological athletic advantages associated with the male sex.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There’s no evidence that transgender women who medically transition have any universal athletic advantages over their cisgender counterparts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12015199\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12015199\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03.jpg\" alt=\"People wearing volleyball uniforms shake hands near the volleyball net.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The San José State Spartans volleyball team greets their opponents, the University of New Mexico Lobos, before playing their home game on Nov. 2, 2024. \u003ccite>(Natalia Navarro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>By using the Department of Education to enforce the policy, the Trump administration is changing the interpretation of Title IX, a 1972 civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools that receive federal funding. Last month, a federal judge in Kentucky \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/title-ix-lgbtq-transgender-biden-605ed79a22633f4c791058994d8ed5de\">rejected a Biden administration rule\u003c/a> that used Title IX to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, striking down expanded protections for LGBTQ students and opening the door for Trump’s move.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Last week, the U.S. Department of Education notified K-12 schools and higher education institutions of a return to enforcing Title IX protections on the basis of biological sex,” reads the press release announcing the investigation. “Yesterday’s Executive Order ensures that federally funded institutions of higher education prioritize fairness and safety in women’s sports.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association are also facing separate investigations by the department for similar Title IX allegations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12015114 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-12-1020x680.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The previous administration trampled the rights of American women and girls — and ignored the indignities to which they were subjected in bathrooms and locker rooms,” Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in the press release, echoing the anti-trans rhetoric that Trump and other Republicans have used to target transgender women.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Shiwali Patel, senior director of safe and inclusive schools at the National Women’s Law Center, told KQED that courts have affirmed Title IX protections extend to transgender students in multiple contexts, including sports and bathrooms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Utilizing the Title IX enforcement process as a way to engage in discrimination against trans women and girls, to essentially weaponize this critical civil rights law and turn it on its head, is such a gross abuse of power,” Patel said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The controversy surrounding SJSU women’s volleyball began last fall when some schools, including the University of Wyoming and Boise State University, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12007485/san-jose-state-volleyball-faces-wave-of-forfeits-in-apparent-protest-over-transgender-athlete\">refused to play against the Spartans\u003c/a> in an apparent protest against NCAA policies allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports. Several members of the team and others in the Mountain West Conference, including Spartans co-captain Brooke Slusser, filed a lawsuit against SJSU and the conference in November and asked that the courts issue an emergency injunction barring the athlete from playing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As the SJSU player who was targeted by the lawsuit has never spoken publicly about her gender identity, KQED is not identifying her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The immediate injunction request was rejected by both U.S. District Judge S. Kato Crews and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on the grounds of sex discrimination and lack of evidence that the player’s participation would cause irreparable harm. The larger lawsuit is still ongoing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another lawsuit was also filed earlier that year against the NCAA by former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, accusing the athletics association of discriminating against cisgender women by allowing a transgender athlete from the University of Pennsylvania to compete in the national championships. Slusser is also a plaintiff in that suit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/nnavarro\">\u003cem>Natalia Navarro\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 4:10 p.m. Thursday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hours after federal education officials on Thursday announced an investigation into \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-jose-state-university\">San José State University\u003c/a> for alleged Title IX violations, the NCAA said it would ban transgender students from participating in women’s sports in line with a new executive order from President Trump.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SJSU has been at the center of a nationwide debate since a women’s volleyball player and others sued last year, seeking to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12015114/anti-trans-lawsuit-seeks-ban-san-jose-state-volleyball-player-tournament\">bar a player they said was transgender\u003c/a>. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights will look into whether the school discriminated against female athletes and jeopardized their right to equal opportunity and fair play, according to a press release.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“San José State University is committed to ensuring that all of our students, including our student-athletes, are treated fairly, free from discrimination, and afforded the rights and protections granted under federal and state law, including privacy rights,” President Cynthia Teniente-Matson said in a statement on Thursday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Our focus remains on our values including fostering an environment that cultivates compassion, where every student has the opportunity to thrive,” Teniente-Matson said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The NCAA, which has also faced public criticism for allowing transgender athletes to compete on women’s teams, announced Thursday afternoon that it is changing its participation policy to align with the federal regulations established by Trump. Under the association’s new policy, student-athletes who are assigned male at birth will be prohibited from competing on a women’s team regardless of gender identity, although the rule also applies to cisgender female athletes who are taking testosterone treatments.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12015202\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12015202\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-09-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The San José State Spartans volleyball team jumps for the ball during their home game against the University of New Mexico Lobos on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. \u003ccite>(Natalia Navarro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The policy changes do not affect NCAA competitive men’s sports, and all students will still be permitted to practice on a team consistent with their gender identity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We strongly believe that clear, consistent, and uniform eligibility standards would best serve today’s student-athletes instead of a patchwork of conflicting state laws and court decisions,” Charlie Baker, NCAA president, said in a statement on Wednesday. “To that end, President Trump’s order provides a clear, national standard.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tom Temprano, managing director of the nonprofit Equality California, said the NCAA’s decision is deeply disappointing and further marginalizes vulnerable students who actually make up a very small percentage of student-athletes. Less than 0.002% of NCAA athletes are transgender, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is not about aligning with federal policy,” Temprano said. “Trump does not get to dictate from on high what the laws are in the United States of America. Congress was the one that enacted Title IX to outlaw sex discrimination in schools for all students.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Institutions need to band together to resist the Trump administration instead of following its orders blindly, Temprano said, adding that now is the time for schools to reaffirm their commitment to protecting their transgender athletes and students.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Under the \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/keeping-men-out-of-womens-sports/\">executive order\u003c/a>, the latest in a series of directives targeting transgender people and what the president has labeled “Gender Ideology Extremism,” federal agencies are directed to withhold funding from institutions that allow transgender students to participate in sports teams that do not align with their biological sex. According to the Trump administration, the order protects female students from the biological athletic advantages associated with the male sex.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There’s no evidence that transgender women who medically transition have any universal athletic advantages over their cisgender counterparts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12015199\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12015199\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03.jpg\" alt=\"People wearing volleyball uniforms shake hands near the volleyball net.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/241120-TransgenderAthletes-03-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The San José State Spartans volleyball team greets their opponents, the University of New Mexico Lobos, before playing their home game on Nov. 2, 2024. \u003ccite>(Natalia Navarro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>By using the Department of Education to enforce the policy, the Trump administration is changing the interpretation of Title IX, a 1972 civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools that receive federal funding. Last month, a federal judge in Kentucky \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/title-ix-lgbtq-transgender-biden-605ed79a22633f4c791058994d8ed5de\">rejected a Biden administration rule\u003c/a> that used Title IX to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, striking down expanded protections for LGBTQ students and opening the door for Trump’s move.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Last week, the U.S. Department of Education notified K-12 schools and higher education institutions of a return to enforcing Title IX protections on the basis of biological sex,” reads the press release announcing the investigation. “Yesterday’s Executive Order ensures that federally funded institutions of higher education prioritize fairness and safety in women’s sports.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association are also facing separate investigations by the department for similar Title IX allegations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The previous administration trampled the rights of American women and girls — and ignored the indignities to which they were subjected in bathrooms and locker rooms,” Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in the press release, echoing the anti-trans rhetoric that Trump and other Republicans have used to target transgender women.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Shiwali Patel, senior director of safe and inclusive schools at the National Women’s Law Center, told KQED that courts have affirmed Title IX protections extend to transgender students in multiple contexts, including sports and bathrooms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Utilizing the Title IX enforcement process as a way to engage in discrimination against trans women and girls, to essentially weaponize this critical civil rights law and turn it on its head, is such a gross abuse of power,” Patel said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The controversy surrounding SJSU women’s volleyball began last fall when some schools, including the University of Wyoming and Boise State University, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12007485/san-jose-state-volleyball-faces-wave-of-forfeits-in-apparent-protest-over-transgender-athlete\">refused to play against the Spartans\u003c/a> in an apparent protest against NCAA policies allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports. Several members of the team and others in the Mountain West Conference, including Spartans co-captain Brooke Slusser, filed a lawsuit against SJSU and the conference in November and asked that the courts issue an emergency injunction barring the athlete from playing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As the SJSU player who was targeted by the lawsuit has never spoken publicly about her gender identity, KQED is not identifying her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The immediate injunction request was rejected by both U.S. District Judge S. Kato Crews and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on the grounds of sex discrimination and lack of evidence that the player’s participation would cause irreparable harm. The larger lawsuit is still ongoing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another lawsuit was also filed earlier that year against the NCAA by former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, accusing the athletics association of discriminating against cisgender women by allowing a transgender athlete from the University of Pennsylvania to compete in the national championships. Slusser is also a plaintiff in that suit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/nnavarro\">\u003cem>Natalia Navarro\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "election-distraction-bay-fc-playoff-bound",
"title": "Here’s an Election Distraction: Bay FC Is Playoff-Bound",
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"headTitle": "Here’s an Election Distraction: Bay FC Is Playoff-Bound | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11980330/a-new-pro-womens-soccer-team-kicks-off-in-the-bay\">Bay FC\u003c/a>, is preparing this week for their first playoff game after an exciting win to clinch their spot in the postseason.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bay FC is only the second expansion team of the National Women’s Soccer League to make the playoffs in their first season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It typically takes new teams about a year to perfect the alchemy on the pitch and off, but head coach Albertin Montoya said the club took about half that time to get “in sync.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When you have all these players believing and playing for the cause, it’s going to change things around. And the fact that we’ve been able to do this six months into it has been very impressive,” Montoya said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After clinching their postseason berth in their final game Saturday — a 3–2 win in Houston — Bay FC is clicking at the right time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not easy starting up a new team, like, it was so difficult for us just to win a game,” striker Racheal Kundananji said at the post-game press conference. “As time goes on, we started knowing one another, knowing our strength and supporting one another, trying to lift one another. I think that’s why we had a powerful ending.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11956860\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11956860\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A row of people smile at the camera, they are all wearing items of clothing with the logo for a women's soccer team called "Bay FC."\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1277\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut-800x532.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut-1020x678.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut-1536x1022.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sheryl Sandberg, Danielle Slaton, Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne and Aly Wagner pose for a photo with other attendees at a kickoff event for Bay FC, the Bay Area’s first team in the National Women’s Soccer League, at the Presidio in San Francisco, on June 3, 2023. \u003ccite>(Kori Suzuki/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Kundananji scored twice, including the goal that won the game in the second half for Bay FC (11-14-1).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The team also benefited from an uncharacteristic own goal from Houston Dash defender Paige Nielsen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The win set the team up for another record among NWSL expansion teams, with the most wins for any team in their inaugural season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And Kansas City’s victory against Chicago this weekend finalized standings going into playoffs, meaning Bay FC, seventh in the league, will play number two seed Washington Spirit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=arts_13963597 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/FairOaksPark_SoccerSession-4-1020x680.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve got a very good opponent that we’re playing against,” Montoya said. “We lost both games of the season with them, but we played both of those games the first half of the season. I think we’re a very different team in the second half of the season than we were in the first half.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Part of that change is due to the acquisition of national team veteran Abby Dahlkemper. Raised in Menlo Park, Dahlkemper came to the Bay from San Diego Wave FC in August.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The addition of Abby Dahlkemper — someone that has so much experience. National team experience, she’s won championships,” Montoya said. “She brings this kind of sense of belief and a winning mentality has really helped us. It’s like a perfect storm in our favor.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to forward Rachel Hill, the team’s success in the second half of the season is also due to Montoya’s unique approach to coaching a fresh group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think a lot of teams would come in and say we’re going to focus on our defensive shape and how we’re going to defend, and he really came in from day one and said, ‘We’re going to possess the ball,’” Hill said at the press conference. “At the end of the day, we all just have to buy in, and we have to believe in that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the days before the quarterfinals, there will be no big celebrations, just business as usual, Montoya said — analyzing last week’s game, improving what needs improving and focusing on the fresh start the playoffs bring.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Even when we’re away, we talk about our fans and how we want to play for them and just the support that they’ve had for us,” Montoya said. “It means the world to our players and our staff. It’s only going to get better.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bay FC plays the Washington Spirit at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After clinching their postseason berth in their final game Saturday — a 3–2 win in Houston — Bay FC is clicking at the right time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not easy starting up a new team, like, it was so difficult for us just to win a game,” striker Racheal Kundananji said at the post-game press conference. “As time goes on, we started knowing one another, knowing our strength and supporting one another, trying to lift one another. I think that’s why we had a powerful ending.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11956860\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11956860\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A row of people smile at the camera, they are all wearing items of clothing with the logo for a women's soccer team called "Bay FC."\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1277\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut-800x532.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut-1020x678.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS66033_06032023_bayfc-405-qut-1536x1022.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sheryl Sandberg, Danielle Slaton, Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne and Aly Wagner pose for a photo with other attendees at a kickoff event for Bay FC, the Bay Area’s first team in the National Women’s Soccer League, at the Presidio in San Francisco, on June 3, 2023. \u003ccite>(Kori Suzuki/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Kundananji scored twice, including the goal that won the game in the second half for Bay FC (11-14-1).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The team also benefited from an uncharacteristic own goal from Houston Dash defender Paige Nielsen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The win set the team up for another record among NWSL expansion teams, with the most wins for any team in their inaugural season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And Kansas City’s victory against Chicago this weekend finalized standings going into playoffs, meaning Bay FC, seventh in the league, will play number two seed Washington Spirit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve got a very good opponent that we’re playing against,” Montoya said. “We lost both games of the season with them, but we played both of those games the first half of the season. I think we’re a very different team in the second half of the season than we were in the first half.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Part of that change is due to the acquisition of national team veteran Abby Dahlkemper. Raised in Menlo Park, Dahlkemper came to the Bay from San Diego Wave FC in August.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The addition of Abby Dahlkemper — someone that has so much experience. National team experience, she’s won championships,” Montoya said. “She brings this kind of sense of belief and a winning mentality has really helped us. It’s like a perfect storm in our favor.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to forward Rachel Hill, the team’s success in the second half of the season is also due to Montoya’s unique approach to coaching a fresh group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think a lot of teams would come in and say we’re going to focus on our defensive shape and how we’re going to defend, and he really came in from day one and said, ‘We’re going to possess the ball,’” Hill said at the press conference. “At the end of the day, we all just have to buy in, and we have to believe in that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the days before the quarterfinals, there will be no big celebrations, just business as usual, Montoya said — analyzing last week’s game, improving what needs improving and focusing on the fresh start the playoffs bring.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Even when we’re away, we talk about our fans and how we want to play for them and just the support that they’ve had for us,” Montoya said. “It means the world to our players and our staff. It’s only going to get better.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bay FC plays the Washington Spirit at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
"airtime": "THU 10pm, FRI 1am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
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"meta": {
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"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
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},
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"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
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"order": 9
},
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"id": "freakonomics-radio",
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"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/freakonomicsRadio.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/freakonomicsradio"
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},
"fresh-air": {
"id": "fresh-air",
"title": "Fresh Air",
"info": "Hosted by Terry Gross, \u003cem>Fresh Air from WHYY\u003c/em> is the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues. One of public radio's most popular programs, Fresh Air features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/381444908/podcast.xml"
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"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510051/podcast.xml"
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},
"hidden-brain": {
"id": "hidden-brain",
"title": "Hidden Brain",
"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
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"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
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"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
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},
"how-i-built-this": {
"id": "how-i-built-this",
"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/howIBuiltThis.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this",
"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
"meta": {
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},
"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
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"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/3zxy",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
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},
"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
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"order": 15
},
"link": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
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"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/2p3Fifq96nw9BPcmFdIq0o?si=39209f7b25774f38",
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},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
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"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
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}
},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
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},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
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"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
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"rss": "https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/marketplace-pm/rss/rss"
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},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Masters-of-Scale-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
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"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
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"apple": "http://mastersofscale.app.link/",
"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
"subscribe": {
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
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}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
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"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510360/podcast.xml"
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},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
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"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
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"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
"subscribe": {
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"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/category/perspectives/feed/",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93dzIua3FlZC5vcmcvcGVyc3BlY3RpdmVzL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BlcnNwZWN0aXZlcy9mZWVkLw"
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},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
"meta": {
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"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/M4f5",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Planet-Money-p164680/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510289/podcast.xml"
}
},
"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
"title": "Political Breakdown",
"tagline": "Politics from a personal perspective",
"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
"airtime": "THU 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Political-Breakdown-2024-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Political Breakdown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 5
},
"link": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"subscribe": {
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"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0c2d153-ad36-4c8d-901d-f1da6a724824/political-breakdown",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/572155894/political-breakdown",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/political-breakdown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/07RVyIjIdk2WDuVehvBMoN",
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