In what can be described as a positive shift in the sports culture, The Sports Bra, a pub in Northeast Portland, is setting a new trend by exclusively focusing on women’s sports. Founded by entrepreneur Jenny Nguyen, The Sports Bra is a testament to the growing interest in women’s sports, and is now planning to expand its influence nationwide.
A Pub for Celebrating Women’s Sports
The Sports Bra is a unique pub where women’s sports are the primary focus. The establishment is adorned with memorabilia from female athletes, and sports like college women’s lacrosse and beach volleyball play on big screens. Since its inception, the pub has managed to tap into the escalating interest in women’s sports, with an atmosphere that’s always buzzing with activity.
Just two years after opening, Jenny Nguyen announced plans to expand The Sports Bra nationwide through a franchise model. “Things have happened at light speed compared to what my forecast was,” Nguyen told The Associated Press. “This tiny spot that I built for my friends and I to watch games and give female athletes their flowers means so much more. And not just to me, but to a lot of people.”
Plans for Expansion
Under the expansion plan, entrepreneurs elsewhere will have the opportunity to apply to use The Sports Bra brand for their franchises. Nguyen is open to working with individuals who already have a physical space, as well as those who may only have a business plan. However, potential future partners must align with The Sports Bra’s values.
One such potential partner is Jackie Reau, CEO of a media and marketing agency, who hopes to open a franchise in Cincinnati. During an interview at The Sports Bra, she expressed her excitement about the bar’s potential to celebrate women’s sports and the athletes behind the story.
The expansion is set to be boosted by funding from a foundation created by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, husband of tennis legend Serena Williams. Nguyen revealed that she has already received hundreds of inquiries about the franchise.
Women’s Sports: An Ever-growing Interest
With recent events such as University of Iowa basketball phenomenon Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking feats, interest in women’s sports has skyrocketed. Clark’s performance this year shattered all-time NCAA scoring records for women and men, drawing record viewership and surpassing the audience for the men’s title match for the first time.
In addition to basketball, the interest in other sports like volleyball and soccer is also on the rise. The 2023 Women’s World Cup reported record attendance with nearly 2 million fans, and a University of Nebraska volleyball game played in a football stadium drew more than 92,000 people, setting a new world record for the largest attendance at a women’s sporting event.
Changing the Sports Bar Culture
As the fan base and engagement for women’s sports grow, so does the need for changing a sports bar culture that has traditionally catered to men’s athletics. Jenny Nguyen recalled her experiences with macho environments that made her uncomfortable and bars that refused to change the channel to a women’s game. This inspired her to create a safe and welcoming space for fans of women’s sports.
However, fans still face challenges when trying to watch women’s sports games, as many are not broadcast on TV and require different streaming subscriptions. Tarlan Chahardovali, an assistant professor in the University of South Carolina’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, believes that much work remains to be done to ensure the media market doesn’t undervalue women’s sports.
“Today’s numbers are hard to ignore, and I think it’s a very exciting time,” she said. “But it’s a moment that needs to be maintained and sustained, and it needs continuous investment.”
