"The Valkyries made WNBA history as the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their first year. They surpassed the 1998 Detroit Shock for the most wins by an expansion team and set all-time attendance records by selling out every home game this season, at the 18,064-seat Chase Center. Their first-round playoff series against the league's top team, the Minnesota Lynx, begins today in Minneapolis (10 a.m., ESPN)."
"Two years ago, Lacob paid a then-record $50 million fee to own Golden State's expansion team. The Valkyries became the league's first expansion team in more than 15 years. Most experts pegged the Valkyries to be one of the worst teams in the league before the season, with popular gambling site BetMGM setting Golden State's win total at 8.5. The Valkyries built their roster through the expansion draft with a mix of hard-nosed veterans, mostly unknown international players and intriguing young talent."
Golden State Valkyries became the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season, surpassing expansion-win marks set by the 1998 Detroit Shock. The team sold out every home game at the 18,064-seat Chase Center, setting all-time attendance records. The Valkyries open a first-round series against the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis. Owner Joe Lacob paid a then-record $50 million expansion fee and exceeded his high goals after most experts predicted a poor season. The roster blends veterans, lesser-known international players and young talent while first-round pick Juste Jocyte remains overseas for now.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]