On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
There's no question that the WNBA's popularity has dramatically increased over the past couple of years, largely thanks to the infusion of young talent.
However, it isn't just individual players such as Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese who are generating buzz, as the WNBA's new expansion franchise is also a source of plenty of excitement.
The Golden State Valkyries are set to play their first season in franchise history, and based on the fan attendance at their preseason opener on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Sparks, the Bay Area has been waiting for this moment. As ESPN's Kendra Andrews revealed, the 17,000-plus fans in attendance at the Chase Center marked the third-highest attendance for a preseason game.
"If there’s any question on how excited the Bay Area is to have a WNBA team," wrote Andrews. "Last night’s 17,428 fans at Chase Center for the Valkyries’ game was the third-highest preseason attendance for a W game in league history."
If there’s any question on how excited the Bay Area is to have a WNBA team… last night’s 17,428 fans at Chase Center for the Valkyries’ game was the third-highest preseason attendance for a W game in league history.
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) May 7, 2025
Here’s our story from last night: https://t.co/qyI5EDlBoe
Unfortunately for those eager fans, the Valkyries did come up short, losing 83-82, but there are reasons to be optimistic about the team's future.
For starters, Kate Martin, whom the team selected in the expansion draft from the Las Vegas Aces, brought the energy and passion that made her so popular as a rookie. The Valkyries also got a huge outing from third-year player Laeticia Amihere, who they claimed off waivers after the Atlanta Dream waived her.
Amihere led both teams in scoring with 20 points off the bench, making 7-of-11 shots and going 2-of-4 from deep.
With an exciting season ahead of them, the Valkyries will wrap up preseason play on Sunday against the Phoenix Mercury before hosting the Sparks again for their first regular-season game in franchise history.
More must-reads:
- Grizzlies may struggle to trade disgruntled star
- Bears TE Colston Loveland, Bills CB Maxwell Hairston headline list of NFL standout rookies from Week 9
- The 'WNBA Finals MVPs' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Steelers make hard decision to part ways with once-promising defensive player
The Pittsburgh Steelers sought to bolster their secondary during the 2024 NFL season, and an unlikely solution quickly emerged in undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop Jr. In his rookie season, Bishop impressed by intercepting four passes and showing flashes of playmaking ability. However, following the 2024 campaign, it became clear that Pittsburgh wanted more than just Bishop to play a nickel role, and instead, across their secondary. After making several moves to strengthen depth in the secondary, Bishop's role diminished. He was moved to the practice squad, but after the Steelers were reportedly signing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad on Monday, Bishop was forced off the roster. It was officially announced on Monday that the Steelers would be releasing Bishop from their practice squad. Bishop’s release underscores the harsh realities of roster management in the NFL. Despite his rookie success, the team clearly prioritized adding depth and flexibility elsewhere, particularly at wide receiver. While Bishop showed potential as a ballhawk, the Steelers’ secondary has now shifted toward veterans and other younger options to solidify the unit. For Bishop, this is likely not the end of his NFL journey, as players with his skill set often find opportunities on other teams or return to practice squads later in the season. Steelers fans will remember his contributions, but the organization appears focused on reshaping the roster for greater overall depth heading into the 2025 season. When the Steelers faced the Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets during the 2024 NFL season, Bishop rose to the occasion. Targeted by the future Hall of Famer, Bishop answered the call in spectacular fashion, intercepting Rodgers not once, but twice. The performance instantly became a defining moment for the rookie, showcasing his ball-hawking instincts and fearlessness on the field. Ex-Steelers DB steals two footballs from Aaron Rodgers back in 2024 The game did not just make headlines for the on-field heroics. Afterward, Bishop went viral for his heartfelt postgame antics, making it clear that he expected Rodgers to autograph both intercepted footballs he kept. The moment captured the attention of fans and social media alike, cementing Bishop’s reputation as a confident and charismatic young player who was not afraid to make his mark. It is a memory that Bishop and Steelers fans will likely treasure for years to come. Bishop was thrilled to learn that in the 2025 offseason, Rodgers would be joining the Steelers. Rodgers became part of the team for the 2025 season. While it does not appear that the two are currently teammates, the ever-revolving nature of NFL practice squads means this may not be Bishop’s last opportunity in Pittsburgh or in the NFL. His rookie season showed his talent and potential, and there could still be a chance for him to make an impact in the Steel City or elsewhere in the league.
Why the Phillies could ditch Alec Bohm and target Rays star Junior Caminero
Entering the offseason, the Philadelphia Phillies must shake things up after running mostly the same roster back for three consecutive years and suffering three straight exits short of the World Series. But Philadelphia seems more likely to make a trade than sign a big-name free agent this offseason. First baseman Bryce Harper ($27.5M in 2026, per Spotrac), SS Trea Turner ($27.3M) and RHPs Zack Wheeler ($42M) and Aaron Nola ($24.6M) take up a huge amount of the payroll, so the Phillies may seek cost-effective options in the trade market. Could 22-year-old Tampa Bay third baseman Junior Caminero be an option for the Phillies? Phillies are likely to trade All-Star Alec Bohm this offseason For the past couple of offseasons, Philadelphia has been rumored to be in the market to trade 2024 All-Star third baseman Bohm, who is coming off a down power season (11 HR, 49 RBI). With one year left on his deal before he becomes a free agent, Bohm probably will be jettisoned by the Phillies, who are projected by Spotrac to offer him $10.25M in arbitration. Philadelphia could better use that money to re-sign designated hitter Kyle Schwarber or catcher J.T. Realmuto. Bohm batted .287 in 120 games last season but could benefit from a change of scenery to get him back on track to where he was in 2024 (97 RBI and 44 doubles). Phillies, Rays could make a deal With Bohm unlikely to be on the Opening Day roster, Philadelphia probably will find another option. Pending free agent Alex Bregman (18 HR, .273 BA) may not return to the Boston Red Sox. He's a fit for the Phillies, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. But Bregman would command a high salary, as would Seattle's Eugenio Suárez, who also is a pending free agent. Feinsand listed the Angels, Mariners and Pirates as fits for the 34-year-old, who had 49 homers and a .228 batting average last season. Debuting at 19 in 2023, Caminero was an injury replacement All-Star in 2025 and would fit in perfectly with the Phillies. He could be the cleanup hitter the team has lacked and provide needed protection for Harper. Caminero — who is set to make $820,000 in 2026, according to Spotrac — has plenty of power (45 HR, sixth in big leagues in 2025) and hit for a decent average, .264, last season. “There's no denying his talent, and what he can cover in and off the plate away is just amazing to me," Rays manager Kevin Cash said of Caminero, according to Adam Berry of MLB.com. Acquiring Caminero would likely cost the Phillies one or two of their top prospects and a big-league player. The Phillies have the prospect capital and major league talent to get a deal like this done — if they’re willing to pull the trigger.
Intriguing reunion on table for Steelers with trade deadline nearing
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that is looking to solidify itself as a competitor in the AFC for the 2025 season, and the franchise should be looking to make some moves around the trade deadline. The organization already brought in safety Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots, and he made an immediate impact in a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Steelers could use some help on the offensive side of the ball as well, but more additions could be made to shore up the defense as well. There is some positional uncertainty at safety for the Steelers as well as a bunch of injuries. The position has changed a ton throughout the season, and the Steelers could certainly use some more depth in the area. Unfortunately, Minkah Fitzpatrick would only be an option if he were to be cut as Pittsburgh cannot trade for him within two years of trading him away. However, his former running mate, Damontae Kazee, is a potential option for the Steelers after he was released by the Cleveland Browns on Monday. Kazee is a veteran with a good amount of experience, and he could certainly sign with Pittsburgh if the front office wants him to return to the black and gold. However, there are other safety-needy teams throughout the league as well. The coaching staff in the Steel City understands and appreciates familiar voices on the roster, and Kazee could provide decent depth while also being familiar with the defense and everyone in the building. Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark have been other contributors at safety for the Steelers in 2025, but there is a real chance that Kazee might be a better option than either of those players. Both Thornhill and Clark have seemed to be at the center of communication issues in the secondary, and whenever there is an obvious coverage bust, Clark seems to always be one of the players closest to it. Kazee signed with the Browns during the 2025 offseason, and he had only played in four games through the first nine weeks of the season. He had been on the field for just 11 defensive snaps, as he seemed to be more of a special teamer in Cleveland. Despite the reduced role in 2025, he could provide some value to Pittsburgh, even if he is just signed to the practice squad. The fan base in Pittsburgh might not have always loved Kazee, but he played a lot of football for the Steelers throughout the three seasons he spent with the team. At the very least, he provides depth for Pittsburgh at a position of need, and he wouldn't be expensive to sign. This is the type of signing the Steelers would make, and it completely makes sense to do so. Pittsburgh Steelers have found a successful safety combination Ahead of Pittsburgh's game on Sunday against the Colts, it was announced that cornerback Jalen Ramsey would be playing exclusively free safety. He had been playing some safety throughout the year depending on what the opposing offense was doing, but on Sunday, he did not leave the position. It was Ramsey and Dugger leading the way in the defensive backfield, and the duo had a pretty good day. It will be interesting to see if that is something the Steelers continue to use in the coming weeks, but it probably should be since it was so effective against the best offense in the NFL.
3 key Buffalo Bills' players nearing return from injury
Sean McDermott delivered some good news as he met the media the day following the Buffalo Bills’ significant Week 9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills were without several key contributors due to injuries sustained by various players in the weeks leading up to the matchup with the Chiefs, but a few of those who are ailing may be nearing a return. McDermott revealed on Monday that defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf), wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle/knee) and linebacker Shaq Thompson (hamstring) will all return to the practice field this week, with each player displaying signs of improvement. Palmer and Thompson each participated in practice limitedly a week ago, but Jones was held out all week. Jones has missed the Bills’ past three games after he “popped his calf” during pregame warm-ups leading up to a Week 7 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. Palmer has also missed two straight games after he was injured during the game against Atlanta. Thompson missed this past week’s game against the Chiefs, the second game he has missed this season. The Bills are hurting along the defensive line, with utility pass rusher Michael Hoecht being declared out for the season after he was placed on Injured Reserve due to a torn Achilles, per McDermott. Jones’ return would be a major boost for an undermanned unit, which benefited from his services early in the year. Thompson has been the Bills’ best linebacker this season, but Buffalo saw the return of both Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard this past week, which lessened the blow caused by his absence. Without Jones and Thompson, the Bills’ defense performed well against the Chiefs, limiting them to 3 for 13 on third-down opportunities and just 305 total yards, their second-lowest yardage output this season. Still, Buffalo would welcome both players back into the fold, as their early-season contributions helped the team ride through some rough patches. Palmer’s absence hurt an already reeling Bills’ wide receiving corps, which has struggled to produce outside of what has come from Khalil Shakir this season. If the Bills fail to land a wide receiver at the trade deadline, his contributions will become increasingly critical down the stretch. The Bills return to the practice field on Wednesday before taking on the Dolphins on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Miami. — Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
