WNBA Announces New Golden State Valkyries Franchise with Exciting Video Narrated by Kehlani
The WNBA has announced the launch of its newest franchise, the Golden State Valkyries, with an electrifying video narrated by Oakland native Kehlani. The clip, shared on social media today (May 14), unveiled the team’s official name and logo, generating a positive response from fans on Twitter.
In the video, Kehlani’s voiceover sets the tone, stating, “Born from the Bay, gilded in gold. This is where legends take flight, but our story has yet to be written.” The choice of Kehlani as the narrator is particularly fitting, as they recently performed at the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game and have a strong connection to the Bay Area.
Fans praised the Valkyries’ rollout, with one user commenting, “Golden State’s rollout is already showing up some other WNBA franchises. And they got it narrated by Kehlani? They understand their culture and are about to take off.” Another fan drew a parallel to Tessa Thompson’s character in Thor: Ragnarok, saying, “Sharing a name with a bisexual Tessa Thompson character and getting the announcement narrated by Kehlani?? That’s called REALLY knowing your audience, [Godd**n].”
The Valkyries, owned by Joe Lacob and led by Amanda Chin, will begin playing in the WNBA in 2025. Their home games will take place at the Chase Center, marking the return of a women’s basketball team to Northern California since the Sacramento Monarchs folded in 2009.
Kehlani has also been making waves in the music industry, recently releasing the single “After Hours” in April. The high-energy music video, directed by Amber Park and filmed at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, has amassed over 1.4 million views on YouTube. The track, which samples Nina Sky’s “Move Ya Body,” has found success on the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart and the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs index, as well as on TikTok.
The launch of the Golden State Valkyries has generated excitement among WNBA fans, who are eager to see the team take the court in 2025. With Kehlani’s involvement and the team’s strong connection to the Bay Area, the Valkyries are poised to make a significant impact on the league and its fanbase.