WNBA

none

Andy Fahey

WNBA Golden State has named Ohemaa Nyanin as the team’s general manager, it was announced today. In her role, Nyanin will oversee all basketball operations, inclusive of roster construction, team building and player development. Nyanin will report to Warriors Co-Executive Chairman and CEO, Joe Lacob, and will begin her tenure with the team on May 13, 2024.

“Ohemaa is the perfect fit to lead our WNBA basketball operations as we prepare for our inaugural season in 2025,” said Lacob. “As we moved through the GM hiring process, it became more apparent each day how impressive and well-versed Ohemaa is in all facets of the business, and as a person. &nbsp;She brings an incredible knowledge of the WNBA and international women’s basketball landscape from her time with the Liberty and USA Basketball. Additionally, she has a deep passion and desire to build a strong culture and, ultimately, win basketball games. We are thrilled to welcome her to Golden State.”&nbsp;

Nyanin joins WNBA Golden State from the New York Liberty where she spent over five years in a variety of capacities, most recently as the team’s assistant general manager. As assistant general manager, Nyanin served as the primary liaison between the basketball and business operations teams, assisting with free agency, trade, salary cap management, and extension of the roster. Her previous roles with the Liberty include director of basketball operations (2020-22) and manager of basketball operations (2019-20). During her five seasons with the Liberty, the team notched three WNBA Playoffs appearances, including a trip to the 2023 WNBA Finals as the second-overall seed.

“I am truly honored to be chosen as the first general manager of WNBA Golden State,” said Nyanin. “Throughout the interview process, it was clear that bringing a WNBA team to the Bay Area was meticulously thought out and those involved are motivated changemakers who will be proactive in growing the league. I look forward to joining this franchise and building a competitive basketball team that the fans deserve.”

Since 2016, Nyanin has served as FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifier Technical Delegate and Manager. Throughout her tenure, she’s held numerous roles, including the event lead of the 2024 Women’s Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Brazil, Co-Technical Commissioner of the 2022 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, and the Official FIBA Representative at FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifier Games around the world.

Prior to her time with the Liberty, Nyanin spent five years as USA Basketball’s assistant director of the women’s national team where she led youth national teams to international competitions, managing delegation logistics and serving as a translator in Spanish-speaking countries. Nyanin played an integral role in the USA Basketball Women’s National Team winning a gold medal at both the 2016 Olympics, held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, and the 2018 World Cup, held in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.

Born in Maryland to parents from Ghana, Ghanaian American Nyanin grew up spending time in five different countries: Philippines, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Chile and the United States. She graduated from American University with a Masters of Science in justice and public policy in 2011, after earning her Bachelor of Arts in international relations and foreign language and communications in 2009. She competed for American University’s women’s basketball team during her time on campus.

WNBA Golden State will be headquartered in Oakland and play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. The Warriors’ Oakland Facility, which served as the Golden State Warriors’ practice facility and front office from 1997-2019, will be the WNBA team’s headquarters, housing a world-class practice facility and the team’s front office staff. The team’s brand identity will be announced at a later date.

Fans who wish to become a season ticket member can do so by placing a deposit at wnba.com/goldenstate.

ohemaa-nyanin-named-wnba-golden-state-general-manager-20240506

WNBA Golden State Names Ohemaa Nyanin as General Manager

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have named Jess Smith as President of Golden State’s WNBA team.

jess-smith-introductory-press-conference-after-being-named-president-of-golden-states-wnba-team

Jess Smith Introductory Press Conference After Being Named President of Golden State’s WNBA Team

The Golden State Warriors have named Jess Smith as President of Golden State’s WNBA team, it was announced today. Smith, who has over 18 years of experience in professional sports, will oversee all WNBA business operations and will report directly to Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Schneider. Smith will begin her tenure with Golden State on February 14.&nbsp;

“Jess is a proven leader and the perfect fit to guide our WNBA team as we begin this exciting new endeavor,” said Schneider. “She brings a strategic and innovative business approach, in addition to an impressive track record for exceeding financial and overall goals. Those intangibles will benefit us greatly as we aim to build a world class franchise that will establish strong and impactful business initiatives off the court and compete for championships on it. We are excited to welcome Jess to the Golden State family.”

Smith joins Golden State from Angel City Football Club, where she served as Head of Revenue since the team’s inception in 2020. In that role, she oversaw partnerships, ticketing, commerce, operations, data and analytics, broadcast and strategic alliances. Smith revolutionized the sports industry partnership approach with Angel City’s model, where she married revenue and impact to invest into local community initiatives focusing on equity, essentials, and education. Under her leadership, Angel City renewed over 90% of the team’s season ticket members heading into the 2024 NWSL season.

“It is an incredible opportunity to build a WNBA team with the backing of Joe Lacob and Peter Guber and the commitment from the Warriors’ Executive Team, led by Brandon Schneider,” said Smith. “Women’s sports fans demand—and deserve—authenticity and a commitment to greatness, two characteristics that the Warriors organization has strongly demonstrated. That is what attracted me to this role. The team’s significant initial investment in the WNBA is just a preview of what’s to come for sports fans in the Bay Area and around the world. I cannot wait to join this franchise with the opportunity to impact and transform our local community and the women’s sports ecosystem.”&nbsp;

Prior to her time at Angel City, Smith served as Vice President, Sponsorship at the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) from 2017-20, where she secured the largest academy-specific jersey partnership in MLS history. Before joining the Earthquakes, Smith worked for the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) from 2015-16. Smith also spent time working for the Oakland Athletics (MLB) from 2008-15 in roles within ticketing and sponsorship.

Smith was named to the 2023 Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list and the 2023 Leaders in Sport Under 40 class for her work with Angel City. Smith holds her B.A. in Journalism from State University of New York and received her M.S.A. from Ohio University.

On October 5, 2023, the WNBA announced its first expansion team since 2008 by awarding the Warriors a franchise that will begin play in the 2025 WNBA season. The team will be headquartered in Oakland and play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. Fans who wish to buy season ticket memberships can do so by placing a deposit at wnba.com/goldenstate.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Warriors’ Oakland Facility, which served as the Golden State Warriors’ practice facility and front office from 1997-2019, will be the WNBA team’s headquarters, housing a world-class practice facility and the team’s front office staff. The team’s brand identity will be announced at a later date.

jess-smith-named-team-president-wnba-golden-state-20240130

Golden State Names Jess Smith as WNBA Team President

On Oct. 5, 2023, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced that the Golden State Warriors have been awarded a WNBA expansion franchise, which will begin play in the 2025 WNBA season.

golden-state-wnba-expansion-team-to-begin-play-in-2025-wnba-season

Golden State WNBA Expansion Team to Begin Play in 2025 WNBA Season

The Golden State Warriors have been awarded a WNBA expansion franchise, which will begin play in the 2025 WNBA season. The team will be headquartered in Oakland and play its home games at Chase Center in San Francisco.

golden-state-x-wnba

Golden State X WNBA

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced today that the Golden State Warriors have been awarded a WNBA expansion franchise, which will begin play in the 2025 WNBA season. The team will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco and marks the WNBA’s first expansion franchise since 2008. Fans who wish to buy season ticket memberships can do so by placing a deposit at wnba.com/goldenstate.  

“The Bay Area is the perfect market for a WNBA team, and we are thrilled this opportunity has finally come to fruition,” said Warriors Co-Executive Chairman & CEO Joe Lacob.&nbsp; “We have been interested in a WNBA franchise for several years, due in part to the rich history of women’s basketball in the Bay Area, and believe now is the ideal time to execute that vision and build upon the legacy.&nbsp;&nbsp;The WNBA continues to solidify itself as the preeminent women’s professional basketball league, and we look forward to supporting the best women’s basketball players in the world and our team starting in 2025.”

The Warriors’ Oakland Facility, which served as the Golden State Warriors’ practice facility and front office from 1997-2019, will be the WNBA team’s headquarters, housing a world-class practice facility and the team’s front office staff. The team’s brand identity will be announced at a later date.

“We are thrilled about expanding to the Bay Area and bringing the WNBA to a region with passionate basketball fans and a strong history of supporting women’s basketball,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.&nbsp; “Joe Lacob, Peter Guber and their leadership team know how to build and operate a world-class organization, as witnessed by the immense success the Warriors’ franchise has enjoyed from both a business and basketball perspective over the last decade. &nbsp;Their interest in joining the WNBA family is yet another sign of the league’s growth potential.”&nbsp;

The 2023 WNBA regular season delivered record-breaking viewership, attendance and digital engagement as the league continues to drive business growth and results. The offseason featured the most-viewed WNBA Draft since 2004, followed by the most-watched regular season in 21 years.