Cathy Engelbert walked onto the court at Chase Center to hand the Golden State Valkyries their first championship trophy, and the sold-out crowd greeted the WNBA commissioner with boos.

The Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 on Saturday night to win the title in just their second season, and as the on-court celebration began, Engelbert took the microphone to start the presentation.

She tried a joke that fit the Halloween date and the arena’s nickname. “Boohalla,” she began, a play on “Ballhalla,” the name Valkyries fans use for Chase Center, then continued, “I just want to congratulate the Atlanta Dream on an extraordinary season, an extraordinary Finals.”

“But we’re here to celebrate Joe Lacob, Peter Guber and the Golden State Valkyries organization. Please join me in congratulating the 2026 WNBA Finals winners, the Golden State Valkyries,” she said, as the crowd rained down with boos.

It was not the first time she has heard it. Engelbert was loudly booed in 2025 while presenting the championship and MVP trophies to the Las Vegas Aces in Phoenix, a reaction that followed public criticism of league leadership by players such as Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier.

She was met with a chorus of boos again at the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup final at Barclays Center in New York, shortly after Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas criticized her for staying silent on death threats and online harassment directed at players.

The booing contrasted with the mood on the floor.

Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes, who scored 11 points, was emotional about what the title means for women’s basketball.

“This is just what happens when you invest in women’s sports,” Hayes said. “We here and we ain’t goin’ nowhere. Invest in women’s sports, baby! Let’s go.”

Gabby Williams, who was named the series’ standout after scoring 30 points with four blocks, set a WNBA Finals record with 28 points in the second half after scoring two in the first.

She said Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase had given her the advice that made it possible.

“Nat told me to be patient in the first half,” Williams said. “It was hard, but I listened to her. She’s right as always, and she got us here.” She also said the team had answered critics who said it lacked stars. “All it took was good people. That’s it,” Williams said. “All we heard all year, ‘We don’t have no stars. We don’t have no talent.’ Yeah right. We got good people. We got winners.”

The Valkyries are the first team in the 30-year history of the league to win a title without an All-WNBA player on the roster. Veronica

Burton had 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and said, “I’m just so blessed. This is insane! Don’t let anyone put a limit on you when you work.”

Kiah Stokes added eight points and 13 rebounds.

For Atlanta, Jordin Canada scored 18 and Allisha Gray 16, and Angel Reese had eight points, 12 rebounds and four turnovers.

“It’s tough in the moment, but we’ll be back,” Reese said. “I always say, delayed, not denied.”