Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee marked the Golden State Valkyries’ championship celebrations by wearing a violet wig and embracing Finals MVP Gabby Williams, praising the team as a group of “phenomenal women”.
Williams, who is “rooted in Oakland”, played a decisive role in the Valkyries’ 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game Seven of the WNBA Finals on October 31. She scored 30 points in the title-clinching game and was named Finals MVP. ([valkyries.wnba.com](https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/golden-state-valkyries-win-2026-wnba-championship-20261031?utm_source=openai))
The triumph came in only the Valkyries’ second season, making them the fastest North American expansion team since 1967 to win a championship, according to the organisation. ([valkyries.wnba.com](https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/golden-state-valkyries-win-2026-wnba-championship-20261031?utm_source=openai))
Lee was among the Bay Area officials taking part in Wednesday’s celebrations, which began with a private ceremony in Oakland before moving across the bay for a public parade along San Francisco’s Embarcadero. Williams was expected to join San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie in starting the parade by beating the team’s ceremonial drum. ([sports.yahoo.com](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/golden-state-valkyries-parade-heres-184833221.html?utm_source=openai))
