PRESS RELEASE: The Sports Bra is Ready to Franchise: The opportunity to invest in a game-changing franchise is now available

PORTLAND, Ore. ­(Sept. 18, 2024) — What city will be the first to open a Sports Bra franchise? Who will own and open the franchise and help lead the movement to support, empower, and promote girls and women in sports in their own community? Today, The Sports Bra announced it is one step closer to answering these questions and expanding into other cities, as the opportunity to invest in a franchise opened online.

Opened in Portland, Ore., in April 2022, this first-of-its-kind sports bar exclusively televises and promotes women’s sports and deeply values inclusivity. In its first 2.5 years in business, the tiny bar that seats 40 customers has attracted legions of fans and fanfare from around the globe. The Sports Bra’s success has demonstrated that the thirst for a place that elevates women athletes, nurtures community, and celebrates women-owned everything extends far beyond the Pacific Northwest.

Jenny Nguyen, founder and CEO of The Sports Bra, said, “The Sports Bra has proven to be a lot bigger than just the four walls of our bar and restaurant. It’s found its place in a movement—a movement that takes women’s sports to a whole new level. Now, we are taking the next big step. It’s time to invite others to join our team to bring The Sports Bra to communities across the country. LFG!”

Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, founding control owner of Angel City FC, and founder of the 776 Foundation which invested in The Sports Bra in April, said, "It begins! I couldn't be more excited for the Sports Bra expansion -- nationwide. Everyone watches women's sports and soon everyone will have a local sports bar to watch from."

“From where I sit, there is enormous demand for more places like ours. I have personally heard from hundreds of people from 44 states and a dozen countries who are interested in learning more about opening their own outlet of The Sports Bra,” continued Nguyen. “Our team is ready to begin the work of finding the right people to join the team and help take The Sports Bra to cities across the U.S.”  

The steps toward expansion come at a pivotal moment for women’s sports. At the Paris 2024 Olympics Games, there were an equal number of male and female athletes, a first in the Games' history. Media coverage of women’s sports has nearly tripled, according to a 2023 report by Wasserman. According to Deloitte Insights, revenue generated by women’s elite sports will surpass $1 billion for the first time in 2024. 

“The stats tell the story,” said Kate Delhagen, founder of Oregon Sports Angels and advisor to The Sports Bra. “More women are on the playing field. More people are watching women play. More people are investing in watching women play. This is a ‘Win-Nguyen’ moment for women’s sports. Now is the time to invest in The Sports Bra and help us do what we do best: support, elevate and inspire women.”  

The franchise website outlines the business case for opening a franchise, steps for interested investors, and the potential levels of investments required to open a location.  For more information, visit TheSportsBraFranchise.com.

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About The Sports Bra

Founded in April 2022, The Sports Bra in Portland, Ore., is the world’s first sports bar to only show women’s sports. Its mission is to make great food, delicious drinks, and provide a space that supports, empowers, and promotes girls and women in sports and in the community. In 2024, the company began welcoming investors to own The Sports Bra franchises nationwide. thesportsbraofficial.com