Barack Obama, Martina Navratilova & Others React After Gabby Williams Makes Valkyries Fastest Expansion Team in American Pro Sports History to Win a Title

November 1, 2026

The Golden State Valkyries have etched their name into sports history by becoming the fastest expansion team to win a championship in any major American professional league. In a dramatic Game 7 victory over the Atlanta Dream, the Valkyries secured their first WNBA title in just their second season as a franchise.

Down six at halftime, the team rallied behind star guard Gabby Williams, who delivered a historic second-half performance with 28 points—including four three-pointers and six free throws—to lead the Valkyries to a 68-63 win at Chase Center. Williams’ clutch heroics, including a game-sealing three-pointer with under two minutes left, earned her Finals MVP honors and cemented her status as the league’s most electrifying player.

The Valkyries’ record-breaking achievement has drawn praise from across the sports world, with former President Barack Obama and tennis legend Martina Navratilova among those celebrating the team’s unprecedented success. Their rapid rise—from expansion to champions in just two years—has redefined what it means to dominate from day one in professional sports.