PORTLAND-BORN WOMEN’S SPORTS BAR THE SPORTS BRA IS GOING NATIONAL

Before it even opened, the Sports Bra was an international sensation. Jenny Nguyen had spent years chatting with friends about opening a sports bar that exclusively screened women’s sports, ideally to resolve a common frustration among her and her friends. “I said, ‘The only way we’re going to watch a women’s game [at a sport’s bar] is if we open our own place.’” Nguyen told Eater Portland.

So, in February 2022, she launched a Kickstarter for the Sports Bra, landing on a Northeast Broadway space for her women’s sports bar. In fewer than 10 days, the project was completely funded; within the month, she had raised double what she had intended, with features in publications like the Washington Post. It spurred the opening of other women’s sports bars around the country, and Nguyen made $1 million in her first eight months open.

Soon, Sports Bras may appear in cities across the country. The 776 Foundation, from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, has invested in the bar, with the intention of franchising. In a press release, Ohanian and Nguyen announced that the investment will help sustain the business locally and open new locations in other parts of the country — or even internationally. The press release also notes that 100 percent of the returns from the investment “will be earmarked for future donations to advance future generations of women athletes.”

Ohanian founded the 776 Foundation in 2022 as an offshoot of Seven Seven Six, his tech company and venture capital firm; the foundation originally focused on projects that combatted the effects of climate change, now funding larger efforts that address “inequity worldwide,” in the words of the press release. In the written statement, Ohanian indicated that his interest in the Sports Bra was related to the growing interest in women’s sports, noting that viewership of the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament exceeded that of the men’s tournament, reaching 18.7 million. It’s unclear how much money the 776 Foundation actually invested in the company.

In an interview with the Portland Business Journal, Nguyen specified that the team has yet to identify any future franchisees, but they are currently accepting inquiries for its first batch of new locations. Eater Portland has reached out to Nguyen for more information; those interested in franchising the bar can email [email protected].

2024-04-23T18:01:44Z dg43tfdfdgfd