In 2022, Jenny Nguyen took a leap of faith and invested her life savings to open The Sports Bra, a one-of-a-kind sports bar dedicated to women’s sports in Portland, Oregon. Since its inception, the bar has quickly gained popularity and success, becoming the first of its kind in the area. Recently, The Sports Bra received a significant investment from Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and part owner of Angel City Football Club in the NWSL, through his 776 Foundation.
With this investment, The Sports Bra plans to franchise and expand to other locations across the country, spreading its mission of supporting women’s sports programs. Nguyen’s vision for The Sports Bra was inspired by a desire to provide a space where young girls and women could see themselves represented in sports. She hopes that by expanding The Bra to other cities, more individuals will have access to a supportive and inclusive environment where women’s sports are prioritized.
The success of The Sports Bra is a testament to the importance of creating spaces that empower women in sports and advocate for gender equality in athletics. As interest in women’s sports continues to grow, with record-breaking viewership of the NCAA women’s basketball national championship game, it is clear that there is a demand for spaces that celebrate and promote women’s achievements in sports. With The Sports Bra leading the way, it is likely that we will see more establishments like it popping up across the country in the near future.
