Caitlin Clark Praises Valkyries’ Historic WNBA Championship Run
WHO:
San Francisco Chronicle - Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase left her bus to greet fans, pose for selfies, and sign merchandise; she later joined the Oakland Fire Department float and shouted, “Let’s f-- goooooooo!!!”
San Francisco Chronicle - Gabby Williams and Kiah Stokes got off their bus and danced in the street; Williams ran alongside the crowd and high-fived fans.
San Francisco Chronicle - Roderick Moore traveled from Los Angeles and sold championship T-shirts for $20 each.
San Francisco Chronicle - Hunter Pence said the parade was as big as either of the two World Series parades he had joined: “It’s electric and sensational.”
San Francisco Chronicle - Mayor Daniel Lurie wore a lilac shirt bearing the number 46, representing that he is San Francisco’s 46th mayor.
San Francisco Chronicle - Valkyries fans included season-ticket holders Bibiana and Conchita Lozano, who said they had joined the inaugural season’s “Founding Guard.”
Pro Football Network - Caitlin Clark discussed the Golden State Valkyries’ championship run and owner Joe Lacob’s promise; WNBA fans interpreted her remarks as potentially shading the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese, with some saying, “She Is Jealous.”
Newsweek - Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark gave her assessment of the Valkyries winning the WNBA championship in their second season.
San Francisco Chronicle - Valkyries players and staff at the celebration included MVP Gabby Williams, head coach Natalie Nakase, Veronica Burton, Kiah Stokes, Kaitlyn Chen, general manager Ohemaa Nyanin, president Jess Smith, and owner Joe Lacob. Co-owner Peter Guber also addressed the crowd.
San Francisco Chronicle - Attending public officials included San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, State Sen. Scott Wiener, Assemblymember Matt Haney, California Controller Malia Cohen, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. Rapper P-Lo, rapper LaRussell, and former San Francisco Giants player Hunter Pence also attended.
WHAT:
San Francisco Chronicle - Thousands of fans lined the Embarcadero; vendors sold Valkyries merchandise, including T-shirts for as little as $3.
San Francisco Chronicle - Williams wore a “FOR THE BAY!” sweatshirt in Oakland. She said she wanted to hug her teammates when Game 7 ended and thanked her family and agent, saying, “I couldn’t do what I did without them here.”
San Francisco Chronicle - The parade included the Oakland Fire Department float, and purple fireworks were set off behind the stage after Veronica Burton was introduced.
San Francisco Chronicle - LaRussell performed for fans during the parade.
San Francisco Chronicle - The crowd chanted “GSV” as Williams briefly handed the championship trophy to Lurie while beating the Valkyries drum to start the parade.
San Francisco Chronicle - The Valkyries won the WNBA championship in a Game 7, earning the franchise’s first title in its second season. Williams scored 28 points in the second half of Game 7.
San Francisco Chronicle - The team held a trophy presentation in Oakland and a championship parade in San Francisco, traveling by boat across the Bay and then on open-top double-decker buses along the Embarcadero. The parade included thousands of fans.
San Francisco Chronicle - Nakase said the team won because of “Ballhalla” and described its playoff approach as “ugly,” a “fight,” and “a street fight.” Lacob said he had challenged the team to win within five years and “never thought we could do that within two.” Guber credited supporters’ belief in women’s sports; Lacob said, “The best is yet to come!”
San Francisco Chronicle - Williams said she wanted to “spring to my teammates” when Game 7 ended and thanked her family. Smith said, “It’s not just winning a championship. It’s showing the world what’s possible.”
WHERE:
San Francisco Chronicle - The trophy presentation took place at the Sephora Performance Center in Oakland; the team then crossed the Bay to San Francisco’s Ferry Building and proceeded along the Embarcadero to King and Second streets, near Oracle Park.
WHEN:
San Francisco Chronicle - The article describes the parade and trophy celebration as occurring on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026; the parade began shortly after noon and was scheduled to continue until 2 p.m.
WHY:
San Francisco Chronicle - Fan Conchita Lozano said she attended to release “all the pent up energy from the election”; she added, “After yesterday’s blue tsunami I needed to see all of this violet.”
San Francisco Chronicle - Smith said the parade route reflected the team’s own story and the commute between its Oakland headquarters and Mission Bay. The team chose the Embarcadero rather than Market Street to celebrate differently.
HOW:
San Francisco Chronicle - Players traveled to San Francisco by boat after the Oakland ceremony. Transit agencies added service, including special Caltrain trains and additional ferries; SFMTA requested restrictions on autonomous vehicles in parts of the parade area.
The Golden State Valkyries celebrated their first WNBA championship with a San Francisco parade. Thousands lined the Embarcadero as players crossed the Bay by boat and rode open-top buses. MVP Gabby Williams scored 28 points in Game 7; owner Joe Lacob praised the team’s rapid triumph.