The Golden State Valkyries are basking in the glow of a historic milestone, having secured their first-ever WNBA playoff berth on Thursday. However, the excitement has been tempered by a controversial twist: their playoff opener will not take place at the iconic Chase Center in San Francisco but instead at the SAP Center in San Jose. The relocation, driven by a scheduling conflict with the Laver Cup tennis tournament set for September 19–21, has sparked a firestorm of criticism aimed at Warriors and Valkyries owner Joe Lacob.
The scheduling clash, reported by CBS, stems from a booking made in 2023, long before the Valkyries became a WNBA expansion franchise. Chase Center, home to the Golden State Warriors, will be unavailable as it prepares for the prestigious tennis event. Despite Lacob’s celebrated $50 million investment in bringing the WNBA to the Bay Area, the decision to move the Valkyries’ historic playoff debut has left fans reeling.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/kendra__andrews/status/1963820811728367971
Fan Outrage Erupts on Social Media
Valkyries fans, eager to witness their team’s first postseason game at Chase Center, have taken to social media to voice their frustration. The backlash has been fierce, with many directing their ire at Lacob himself. Posts on X reveal the depth of disappointment:
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“joe lacob… a tennis tournament ? MOVE THEM WHAT THE [expletive],” one fan fumed.
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“Joe Lacob you suck,” another declared bluntly.
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“First ever home playoff game and gets moved you Joe lacob’s first fumble wit GSV,” a third chimed in.
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“Any other league the team gets favoured over the act and the act is forced to reschedule … this is so gross by the Valkyrie ownership group,” another wrote. “Do better Joe Lacob.”
The sentiment is clear: fans feel cheated out of a landmark moment for the expansion franchise, believing that a WNBA playoff debut should take precedence over a tennis tournament.
Amid the mounting criticism, Warriors star Draymond Green took to Threads to defend Lacob, pushing back against the narrative that the owner disregarded his WNBA team. Responding to a fan who argued Lacob wouldn’t intentionally undermine the Valkyries, Green offered a candid take.
“Joe probably did everything he could to cancel that event at Chase,” Green wrote. “And is probably losing it on anyone who had something to do with that scheduling.”
Green’s defense highlights Lacob’s commitment to both the Warriors and the Valkyries, suggesting the scheduling conflict was an unfortunate oversight rather than a deliberate slight. His words carry weight, given his role as a vocal leader and one of the most recognizable faces of the Warriors’ dynasty.
The relocation to SAP Center, home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, carries significant implications. For the Valkyries players, it means their historic playoff debut—set for either September 16 or 17—won’t unfold in front of the San Francisco home crowd they’ve worked to energize. For fans, it’s a lost chance to celebrate a new chapter in Bay Area basketball at Chase Center, an arena synonymous with championship glory.
The Valkyries’ rapid rise has fueled high expectations. As an expansion team, their playoff qualification is a testament to their talent and potential, making the venue switch all the more jarring. Fans had hoped to see their team take the court at Chase Center, where the Warriors have built a legacy of dominance, creating a shared sense of pride across both franchises.
While Green’s outspoken support may soften some of the backlash, the disappointment among fans remains palpable. The Valkyries’ playoff run was supposed to be a unifying moment for the Bay Area, a chance to rally behind a new team in a familiar arena. Instead, the relocation has cast a shadow over what should be a joyous occasion.
Lacob’s vision for the Valkyries has been lauded as a bold step for women’s basketball in the region, but this scheduling misstep has tested fans’ patience. As the team prepares to tip off in San Jose, the focus will inevitably shift to their performance on the court. A strong showing could help mend the frustration, but for now, the Bay Area is left grappling with a bittersweet milestone—one that feels just out of reach from the home they envisioned.