‘The Bay shows up’: Golden State Valkyries block party provides glimpse of budding fanbase
SAN FRANCISCO — On a sunny-then-chilly Saturday afternoon outside Chase Center, Thrive City featured no shortage of black, white and purple t-shirts and crewnecks. P-Lo and E-40 and Mayzin provided the slaps. Kehlani and Goapele and Khyenci provided the soul. The Golden State Valkyries’ weekend block party, an event that came shortly after the team revealed its name and logo, represented the first time that fans in the Bay Area had the opportunity to express their in-person support for the region’s newest sports team. Despite only four days notice, roughly three thousand flocked to the team’s future home and, indeed, made their excitement known. “The Bay shows up — we all know that — in really, really powerful ways,” said Valkyries president Jess Smith. The Bay Area had long clamored for a WNBA team before the arrival of the Valkyries, and with the franchise set for its inaugural season next year, Saturday’s block party provided a glimpse of the team’s budding fanbase. “It shows us that support for expansion is possible, and that so many cities and so many places that have been deserving of a lead