Photo: FLI Social
When The Sports Bra first made international headlines, it was because of its daring concept. This sports bar, located in Portland, Oregon, vouched to only show women's sports. This was inspired due to the gap in coverage and attention female athletes and women's sports leagues get in comparison to their male counterparts. While some didn't believe in this concept, a community quickly thrived and grew beyond its walls. Now, after two years of operation, The Sports Bra has become so successful that they recently announced plans to franchise and expand.
“This is an exhilarating time for women’s sports, and The Sports Bra has proven the strong need for more places to celebrate them,” says Jenny Nguyen, founder and CEO of The Sports Bra. “I envision a future full of Sports Bras everywhere doing what we do best: supporting women.” Nguyen opened the bar in 2022, investing her life savings in the idea. It as reported to have returned $1 million in just eight months.
The 776 foundation, an organization led by entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, is now making an investment in The Sports Bra. Ohanian is one of the co-founders of Reddit and part owner of Angel City Football Club in the NWSL. Ohanian is also married to tennis superstar Serena Williams, and is a founder at Seven Seven Six, self-described as “a tech company that deploys venture capital.”
“At Seven Seven Six, we’re enthusiastic about the incredible advancement in women’s sports,” says Ohanian. “Our foundation is proud to back The Sports Bra, which is a welcoming place for everyone to celebrate these athletes’ feats.”
The investment in The Sports Bra comes at a great time for women's sports, with the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team matches breaking viewership records. But knowing that's not the end of the road, 100% of the returns from 776 Foundation’s investment will be earmarked for future donations to boost future generations of female athletes.
Nguyen says, “When I first opened The Sports Bra two years ago this month, I had no idea the impact it would have on so many so quickly. Now I can see we’re just getting started. With the support of Alexis and 776, we plan to bring The Bra to cities across the country and beyond, and continue to invest in our mission.”
The Sports Bra, a sports bar devoted to showing women's sports only, has become so successful that they recently announced plans to franchise and expand.
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Their mission was inspired by the gap in coverage and attention female leagues and athletes get in comparison to their male counterparts.
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The 776 foundation, an organization led by Alexis Ohanian, is now making an investment in The Sports Bra to help it expand.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
“Our foundation is proud to back The Sports Bra, which is a welcoming place for everyone to celebrate these athletes’ feats,” says Ohanian.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
100% of the returns from the 776 Foundation’s investment will be earmarked for future donations to boost future generations of female athletes.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
“When I first opened The Sports Bra two years ago this month, I had no idea the impact it would have on so many so quickly,” says Nguyen. “Now I can see we’re just getting started.”
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
The Sports Bra: Website | Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [USA Today]
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