The Valkyries' arrival, backed by Joe Lacob's $50 million investment, has set a new standard for WNBA expansion teams by prioritizing state-of-the-art facilities and player experience. - The Valkyries renovated a dedicated practice facility at the Oakland Marriott for $1.45 million before building their first roster.
- They created a specialized locker room and campus at Chase Center, a $1-billion-plus arena, before any player signed. - Other expansion teams like Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo are now developing similar facilities worth over $100 million.
- This contrasts with the 2008 Atlanta Dream expansion, when the league was struggling with team closures. The investment reflects a shift in ownership expectations, with experts suggesting the WNBA was too slow to expand and is now capitalizing on untapped fan bases.