Golden State Valkyries

Kehlani Narrated The Golden State Valkyries’ Announcement Video And Fans Are In Their Feelings

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Over the past few years, it’s become common practice for NBA and WNBA teams to kick off their seasons with hype videos, often narrated by hometown artists from the cities where the franchises are situated. For instance, GloRilla narrated a video for the Grizzlies a couple of years ago.

So, when the WNBA’s newest franchise, the Golden State Valkyries, posted a hype video announcing their launch, it only made sense they would tap a Bay Area artist to do the narration. Their choice, Kehlani, turned out to be perfect in more ways than one.

While Kehlani was already involved in the WNBA thanks to their 2023 All-Star Game performance, you may remember that the show inspired a certain amount of, well… thirst among both fans and players, as there is a lot of overlap between the target audiences of the W and Kehlani (“the girls, the gays, and the theys,” as the saying goes).

The response to the Valkyries’ launch video was no different. “Kehlani” trended on Twitter (which I am never calling “X,” sorry, Elon) as fans fell in love with the SweetSexySavage tones of Kehlani’s delivery and the possibility of seeing future draft prospect Paige Bueckers suiting up in the new franchise’s apparent black and purple.

“Sharing a name with a bisexual Tessa Thompson character and getting the announcement narrated by Kehlani??” wrote one fan. “That’s called REALLY knowing your audience.” You can check out more of the impassioned responses below.

SOURCE SPORTS: Kehlani Narrates as WNBA Unveils Name and Logo for Golden State Valkyries Expansion Franchise

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WNBA Unveils Name and Logo for Golden State Valkyries Expansion Franchise

San Francisco’s eagerly anticipated WNBA expansion team unveiled its identity on Tuesday, officially christened the Golden State Valkyries. Dope name! 

The team’s name and logo were unveiled in a captivating video narrated by acclaimed Bay Area singer-songwriter Kehlani, an Oakland native. This added a local touch to the franchise’s announcement. See, marketing done right!

Queue NBA support … Backed by Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, the Valkyries are poised to make their WNBA debut in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the league’s expansion efforts. The announcement in September 2023 marked Golden State’s entry into the WNBA, marking the league’s first expansion since the Atlanta Dream in 2008.

Set to call the Warriors’ Chase Center home, the Valkyries will fill a void in Northern California left by the departure of the Sacramento Monarchs in 2009, providing fans with a new basketball experience.

The choice of “Valkyries” pays homage to Norse mythology, where these female figures guided fallen warriors to Valhalla, reflecting strength, valor, and guidance. This aligns seamlessly with the NBA counterpart, the Golden State Warriors, creating a cohesive brand identity.

As the WNBA’s 13th franchise, the Valkyries will participate in the 2025 WNBA draft and subsequent season, contributing to the league’s growth and diversity. Looking ahead, the WNBA’s expansion is set to continue with the addition of a Toronto-based franchise in 2026, marking a historic milestone as the league’s first team located outside the United States, as reported by CBC’s Shireen Ahmed.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Kehlani Narrates as WNBA Unveils Name and Logo for Golden State Valkyries Expansion Franchise first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Kehlani Narrates as WNBA Unveils Name and Logo for Golden State Valkyries Expansion Franchise appeared first on The Source.