The Golden State Valkyries are the WNBA's first expansion team since 2008. Here's everything you need to know.

The Valkyries had a historic crowd for their home opener which left even seasons veterans like Tiffany Hayes and Julie Vanloo impressed.

WNBA action has officially hit the court at Chase Center. The Golden State Valkyries played their first game as a WNBA franchise Friday night in a 71-62 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. While it wasn't a winning effort, it was safe to say the crowd was entertained.

Fans were allowed in at 5:30, and Brie Reddick of San Bruno, adorned in her own Valkyries T-shirt, was among the first to absorb the scene and has been waiting for a Bay Area franchise since the Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA folded following the 2009 season after playing two years.

When the Golden State Valkyries took Kate Martin from the Las Vegas Aces in the expansion draft, there were high expectations that she would have a bigger role on the team.

The fans in the packed arena were decked out in matching purple T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase “First of a Lifetime.” After years of hoping the WNBA would come to the Bay Area and more than 18 months after the expansion team was awarded by the league,

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest expansion team, are facing criticism after waiving rookie guard Kaitlyn Chen, with some questioning whether the team unfairly capitalized on her

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.