A Vision Comes to Life

In 2020, Jenny Nguyen launched The Sports Bra, a groundbreaking establishment in Portland, Oregon, dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. Skeptical onlookers wondered if her vision would garner support, but Nguyen was resolute in her optimism.

Growing Momentum

Nguyen’s aspiration was that The Sports Bra would serve as a catalyst for a broader movement in women’s sports. In a 2022 interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive, she expressed her belief that they were “on the cusp of something huge.”

Three years later, it has become evident that her intuition was correct.

Expansion and Popularity

Since its inception, the popularity of women’s sports in Portland has surged, recently bolstered by the city’s designation as the home for a new WNBA franchise. This shift has created a demand for establishments showcasing women’s sports, resulting in more than a dozen similar sports bars emerging across the United States.

Franchising New Horizons

The Sports Bra is set to expand further. In the fall of 2023, the bar announced plans to franchise, with backing from Alexis Ohanian—Reddit co-founder and husband to tennis standout Serena Williams. New locations were later confirmed in several cities: Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis.

These cities are already recognized for their strong support of women’s sports, with teams like the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever leading the charge.

The ‘Starting Five’

Nguyen stated, “The first four franchises of The Sports Bra will join our OG Portland location to become the ‘Starting Five.’ Together, we’re serving fans nationwide who are hungry for spaces that not only champion women’s sports but create a community where everyone feels like they belong.”

Future Plans

While the addresses and opening dates for the new franchises have yet to be disclosed, the initiative marks a significant milestone in recognizing and promoting women’s sports on a national scale.