Golden State Valkyries take their first title celebration to San Francisco
Players and coach Natalie Nakase joined supporters for a parade after Golden State’s first WNBA championship. The team crossed the bay by ferry from Oakland before travelling along San Francisco’s waterfront. Finals most valuable player Gabby Williams carried her trophy as the celebration moved toward Oracle Park.
Sports··Midday
Championship parade fills San Francisco’s waterfront
Golden State Valkyries, a team in the US women’s professional basketball league WNBA, marked their first championship with a San Francisco parade on 4 November. Players, coaches and team officials took part.[1], [2]
After a rally in Oakland, where the club is headquartered, the team crossed the bay by ferry. Buses then carried the players from the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero toward Oracle Park, the San Francisco Giants baseball team’s home.[1]
Williams carries the trophy as players greet supporters
Golden State had defeated the Atlanta Dream in the Finals series. Gabby Williams, the Finals’ most valuable player, carried her trophy during the celebration. Williams and Kiah Stokes joined the music and sprayed champagne over supporters. Kaitlyn Chen and Veronica Burton stepped off their bus to greet fans, while Tiffany Hayes also went over to the crowd.[1]
Nakase joins a celebration set to Bay Area music
Coach Natalie Nakase joined supporters during the parade. Local musicians Kehlani and P-Lo appeared in vintage cars, and the soundtrack included songs by Too Short, E-40 and Mac Dre. Stokes spoke about the pleasure of seeing teammates win their first title. Burton emphasised the players’ connection to one another and to their community as fans displayed season-long team sayings on signs.[1]
