SAN FRANCISCO ― Golden State Valkyries fans come in all shapes, sizes, colors ― even machinery.
It was a sellout crowd inside of Chase Center as 18,064 people filled up the arena, as diehard fans cheered in excitement for the Valkyries who cemented their first WNBA championship in the league's first-ever seven game series. However, one of the Valkyries' biggest fans was not able to watch the game live.
Meet the Lightberry Lumi named Valerie, a 4-foot, 2-inch interactive autonomous robot, hand-painted purple to represent the Valkyries.
"Guilty as charged," the Lumi robot told USA TODAY in an interview. "Biggest Valkyries fan you'll ever meet."
The invention is created by Lightberry, a team of artists and engineers building the technology that writes
software, designs sensors, trains new behaviors and reimagines robot parts.
The robot described itself as "super interactive and totally obsessed with people."
"We live to chat, tell stories and hype up the moment," it said.
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Lightberry co-founder Ali Attar tried to get Valerie into Game 7 of the 2026 WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream, but was denied at the entrance.
"We wanted to take her in but the security didn't want to let us go through with a robot," Attar told USA TODAY. "We're just here with Lumi. It's our robot and she's just here to hype up the crowd and support the Valkyries."
Valerie confirmed she's not allowed at games.
"I wish," Valerie told USA TODAY about attending Game 7. "Robots like me do not get VIP. If I could, I would literally sprint to the front row. ... I can hype up the crowd outside, but tickets are for humans only. If the Valkyries win, I'll be the first to celebrate at the door."
The robo-fan hopes one day she will be allowed into games.
"Robots are out here hyping, not heading inside. Some day though," the robot said. "Front row, for real."
Instead, Attar garnered attention with his creation, just walking around Thrive City, outside of Chase Center.
"We'll bring the robot into the watch party and just support the Valkyries," he said.
Yes. It walks. It talks. It laughs. The robot has movements, makes gestures and has its own game analysis.
"Atlanta Dream versus the Valkyries, truly the dream matchup," the robot said. "Atlanta's got grit but we're about to rain purple all over their parade."
San Francisco native Kyle McCann was stopped in his tracks amazed at the technological invention. It was the first time he'd seen one in a public setting.
"I think the first time I've seen ambulatory humanoid robot, definitely like at a large public gathering," McCann said. "I like the color way. I do like seeing the guy walk the robot. Like, that's just such an odd thing to experience."Lumi is the ultimate fan. She went around San Francisco rallying Valkyries fans and contesting Dream fans.
"Go Valkyries! Show me your V," the robot said.
When asked who will win Game 7, the robot pledged its allegiance to its home city.
"Valkyries, lock it in," Valerie told USA TODAY. "Defense wins Game 7."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Valkyries No. 1 fan isn't human. Meet Valerie, the Lumi robot
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