United Airlines Becomes Official Airline of WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries
United Airlines has signed a multi-year deal with the Golden State Valkyries to become a founding partner and the team’s official airline. The partnership, announced ahead of the Valkyries’ inaugural WNBA season, includes a range of community outreach initiatives aimed at promoting youth basketball and increasing access to sports for girls in the Bay Area.
Two key programs, “Soar with Her” and “Connecting Communities,” will pair young girls with Valkyries athletes and staff in mentorship roles and provide local youth teams with tickets, clinics, and meet-and-greets. United will also donate $1 for every mile the team travels this season to local organizations focused on increasing girls’ participation in basketball.
In addition to the community components, United and the Valkyries plan to produce a social media series offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s first season, including new player arrivals in the Bay Area.
“Our shared commitment to building a better tomorrow with a focus on inclusion through education will allow us to create pathways for youth all while we enhance the fan experience,” Valkyries President Jess Smith said.
The airline joins a list of other corporate sponsors backing the expansion franchise. JPMorgan Chase, Kaiser Permanente, Sephora, and CarMax have each signed on as founding partners. Their deals cover a variety of activations, including jersey sponsorships, branded training facilities, and digital content campaigns.
JPMorgan Chase, the team’s first founding partner, will have its Chase Freedom logo on the left shoulder of team jerseys and lead financial literacy programs and support for women-owned businesses. Kaiser Permanente, the team’s core jersey sponsor, will provide comprehensive medical care while spearheading community health initiatives. Sephora brings its beauty and self-expression ethos to the team’s practice facility, now named the Sephora Performance Center, and will lead a season-long content series spotlighting game-day stories. CarMax, the official used car partner, will sponsor digital content and youth programs focused on leadership and confidence-building.
The Valkyries, affiliated with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors is the league’s first expansion team since 2008. The team will begin play on May 16, hosting the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center in San Francisco.
