Jess Smith: Building a Modern Sports Franchise · 37:08

In this episode of On Stage, Jess Smith, President of the Golden State Valkyries, joins Jenn Azara, Director of Tech & Women's Sports Content at Sports Business Journal, for a conversation about launching one of the most successful expansion franchises in professional sports.  Recorded at SBJ's Tech Week in New York City in May 2026, the discussion explores how the Valkyries have blended technology, innovation, and fan-first thinking to build momentum from day one. Fresh off a historic inaugural season that included record attendance, a playoff appearance, and one of the highest franchise valuations in women's sports, Smith shares the philosophy behind building a modern organization from the ground up.  Key themes include:  - Launching with Purpose: How the Valkyries approached expansion differently to establish a strong identity from day one.   - Technology as a Competitive Advantage: Using data, AI, and digital tools to enhance business operations and the fan experience.   - Designing Around the Fan: Why every decision begins with understanding what today's sports fans value most.   - The Growth of Women's Sports: What the Valkyries' early success says about the future of the WNBA and the broader marketplace.   - Building for the Long Term: Lessons in culture, innovation, and leadership while creating a franchise designed to thrive for decades.   It's an inspiring look at how one of sports' newest teams became one of its most talked-about success stories.  🔔Subscribe to SBJ on YouTube: https://bit.ly/41bbXaV 🔔Sign up for our FREE newsletter, SBJ 360. Get a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry—delivered to your inbox each weekday: https://bit.ly/4eCzx8C #GoldenStateValkyries #wnba #womenssports #basketball #sportsbusiness 00:00 – Welcome to Building a Modern Sports Franchise 00:37 – Inside the Golden State Valkyries Launch 01:00 – AI, Innovation & Fan Experience Strategy 03:34 – Building a Franchise From Day One 07:24 – Winning Gen Z and Young Fans 09:08 – Social Media’s Role in Fan Growth 11:45 – Scaling Operations for Long-Term Success 14:43 – Creating a High-Performance Team Culture 18:03 – Using Data to Drive Better Decisions 20:50 – Technology’s Impact on Sports Business 25:02 – Partnerships That Accelerate Franchise Growth 29:49 – Community Building and Fan Loyalty 32:06 – The Future of Women’s Sports Growth 35:11 – Key Leadership Lessons and Closing Takeaways

July 13, 2026