Golden State Valkyries Announce Kaiser Permanente as Founding Partner

The Golden State Valkyries and Kaiser Permanente today announced a multi-year partnership, making the health care organization and not-for-profit health plan a founding partner of the Valkyries.

Additionally, Kaiser Permanente will be the team’s core jersey partner, with the logo featured on the Valkyries home and road uniforms, beginning with the team’s inaugural season in 2025. As part of Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to increase access, equity, and overall community health and well-being, a portion of the Valkyries jersey sales will benefit local non-profit organizations that will be announced at a later date.

Kaiser Permanente will serve as the official team physicians for the Valkyries, providing physical and mental health care to the athletes throughout the year. Kaiser Permanente has a premiere sports medicine program, caring for amateur athletes and professional sports teams in the region, including the Golden State Warriors.

For video of Valkyries President Jess Smith and Kaiser Permanente Regional President of Northern California Carrie Owen Plietz discussing the partnership, please click HERE.

To tip off the partnership, Kaiser Permanente and the Valkyries hosted a coaches clinic on September 27 at Oakland Tech High School. Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin, Vice President of Basketball Operations Vanja Černivec led several Bay Area high school coaches through a workshop to improve on-court and mentorship skills. For b-roll of the clinic, please click HERE.

“Kaiser Permanente is a pillar of the Bay Area community, perpetually focused on ensuring the betterment of its health and wellness,” said Golden State Valkyries President Jess Smith. “As we build the Valkyries, adding Kaiser Permanente as a partner, and to our jersey as our core jersey partner, showcases those shared values through visibility, investment, and access. Together, on and off the court, we look forward to representing the Bay Area's leadership in care of our community.”

With its integrated care delivery model, Kaiser Permanente provides comprehensive sports medicine treatment to both professional and amateur athletes, who sustain acute and chronic injuries while engaged in sports or physical activity. Kaiser Permanente’s team of sports medicine physicians have an unparalleled amount of experience and expertise in the specialized care of sports medicine leading to quicker diagnoses, more efficient treatment, and faster recoveries for all athletes.

“We are excited about this new partnership and commitment to treating and caring for the Valkyries athletes as they embark on their inaugural season,” said Kaiser Permanente’s President of Northern California, Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE. “Kaiser Permanente strongly believes we have a responsibility to play a leading role in improving the health and well-being of our communities and we look forward to working closely with the Valkyries on a wide range of community health initiatives.”

With a focus on improving the health of the community, Kaiser Permanente and the Valkyries will engage community leaders in a listening tour to determine the focus areas of the partnership’s efforts to advance community health.

Beginning in early 2025, the Valkyries and Kaiser Permanente will rally the women’s basketball community by hosting regular open gyms at the Valkyries Practice Facility in Oakland for players of all ages who are seeking a safe, comfortable place to build community and play basketball.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on October 5, 2023. Originating from Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike. This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.