Golden State Valkyries surge with French star Salaün, solidifying billion‑dollar franchise

The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Toronto Tempo 96‑79 at the Chase Center, with French forward Janelle Salaün scoring 24 points and Gabby Williams adding 15 in her first start. The win moved Golden State to a 20‑9 record, tying for second place in the WNBA standings.

Off the court, the Valkyries have become the league’s first billion‑dollar franchise, launched in 2025 with a historic collective‑bargaining agreement that raised salaries and player benefits. Backed by a Sephora‑sponsored practice facility, an 18,000‑seat arena, and even on‑call cat‑sitting for the team’s mascot cat “Halle Berry,” the club quickly positioned itself as a championship contender under coach Natalie Nakase, who earned Coach of the Year honors in the team’s debut season.