Golden State Valkyries Head Coach Slams WNBA Over Venue Conflict: “We Deserve Better”

The Golden State Valkyries have been one of the biggest stories of the 2025 WNBA season, but as the playoffs approach, the franchise now faces a new battle—not on the court, but off it.

With the Laver Cup men’s tennis tournament set to occupy Chase Center from September 19–21, the Valkyries could be forced to play critical playoff games away from their home arena. And now, head coach Vanessa Nygaard is speaking out in frustration, calling the situation “unacceptable” and publicly criticizing the WNBA for what she views as a failure of leadership and planning.

“We’ve done everything this league has asked—built a team from scratch, packed our arena, won games, inspired fans—and this is the thanks we get?” Nygaard said during a fiery press conference Tuesday. “This isn’t just a scheduling issue. This is a respect issue.”

The Valkyries, the league’s newest expansion franchise, have exceeded expectations in their inaugural season. With a roster full of veteran leadership and rising stars, they’ve quickly become contenders—and one of the hottest tickets in the Bay Area. But now, that momentum could be undercut by a venue conflict that many feel should have been avoided.

Nygaard didn’t mince words when discussing the WNBA’s handling of the matter.

“How do you schedule a global tennis event in a WNBA arena during playoff season?” she asked. “It tells our players, our fans, and frankly the world, that we’re not a priority. And that’s shameful.”

Sources close to the team say the Valkyries front office was blindsided by the lack of contingency planning from the league. While alternate venues like Oakland Arena and SAP Center in San Jose are being considered, Nygaard emphasized that the solution shouldn’t fall on the team.

“We shouldn’t have to scramble to find a gym. We shouldn’t have to give up home-court advantage because someone else booked the building,” she said. “This league has grown too much to still be dealing with these issues.”

Nygaard also drew comparisons to how similar conflicts would be handled in other professional leagues.

“If the Golden State Warriors were in the playoffs, you think the arena would be double-booked? Let’s be honest.”

Fans have rallied behind the coach’s comments, flooding social media with hashtags like #LetThemPlayHome and calling on the WNBA to ensure its teams are treated as equals—not afterthoughts.

As the Valkyries fight for a top seed in the postseason, Nygaard says the team remains focused—but added that the message being sent off the court can’t be ignored.

“Our players have worked too hard to be pushed aside for another event. We love tennis, but this is our time. And we deserve to be treated like it.”

With the playoffs just weeks away, pressure is now mounting on the WNBA to respond—and to prove that the success of teams like the Valkyries will be met with the respect they’ve earned.