The Rise of Women’s Sports Bars in the US: Pt. 1
The Sports Bra, The W Sports Bar, Jolene Jolene, and Babe's Sports Bar are among the establishments that are changing the conversation around sports bars.
The Sports Bra, The W Sports Bar, Jolene Jolene, and Babe's Sports Bar are among the establishments that are changing the conversation around sports bars.
During the 2024 season, A’ja Wilson was deep in her bag. She won the M’VP again, and she set the WNBA record for points per game in a season at 26.87.
That record went all of the way back to 2006, which was previously held by Diana Taurasi.
Nineteen seasons between them happening.
While the league is as talented as it’s ever been, make no mistake about it – the talent has always been there in women’s sports.
The issue has always been the exposure, or lackthereof.
“I think on the court, the talent has always been there. Off the court, the support and viewership has been amazing. Part of me wishes we had that before for the people who laid the foundation, but it’s great to see that today,” Isabel Harrison told me last year in an interview I conducted with Winsidr. “It’s amazing for the growth of the game. I hope it continues. As you can see, when we play, people watch.”
And the people do indeed, Izzy.
Media rights deals are through the roof for women’s sports, as the WNBA secured an 11-year media rights deal last year worth $2.2 billion dollars, and NWSL inked a $240 million media rights deal in 2023 that runs through 2027.
And it goes beyond the two leagues with the biggest imprint in the United States. The Pro Volleyball Federation has a media rights deal with CBS, Fox, and Roku, and the PWHL secured a deal with Amazon Prime in Canada in its second season.
It’s never been about the talent; it’s been about the exposure and the investment in women’s sports.
As expansion prices for teams continue to soar, television ratings continue to increase, and as a new standard has been set throughout the leagues, women’s sports aren’t just having a moment – they are having a movement.
And it’s one that we knew was possible all along if the investment was just there.
A 2021, 30-year study from USC shows the discrepancy in coverage for women’s sports by television news, ESPN, and online media coverage. The study shows that a staggering – but not shocking – 95 percent of total television coverage and highlights from SportsCenter focused solely on men’s sports in 2019.
That’s 5 percent of the focus on women’s sports.
Five. Percent.
But that’s changing, and in today’s newsletter, we’ll be highlighting four different women’s sports bars from around the country who are a part of that change.
These women aren’t just fans of women’s sports, but they are leaders in growing the games that we love so much.
Over the next two editions of the Walking Bucket, we’ll be speaking with the owners of:
- The Sports Bra (Portland, Oregon)
- The W Sports Bar (Cleveland, Ohio)
- Babe’s Sports Bar (Chicago, Illinois)
- Jolene Jolene (Atlanta, Georgia)
We’ll kick it off with The Sports Bra and The W Sports Bar before returning Friday with Babe’s Sports Bar and Jolene Jolene.
The Sports Bra
Opening in 2022, The Sports Bra is the first-ever sports bar 100 percent dedicated to supporting and showing women’s sports, per its website.
I chatted with the founder of the bar, Jenny Nguyen, about setting the standard.
Michael Waterloo: A lot has changed since The Sports Bra opened in 2022. Team evaluations have skyrocketed, showing the interest was always there – but there just needed to be an investment. Did you see this type of growth/interest happening when the vision for The Sports Bra happened?
Jenny Nguyen: I most definitely did not see this type of rocket ship trajectory in the growth of women’s sports happening when I was ideating on opening The Sports Bra. All I knew was what history has shown us: women’s sports had not had the investment, representation, and accessibility that men’s sports has had for ages. I began to wonder ‘what-if’ and it felt like there could be so much potential if a place like The Bra existed.
MW: The Thorns are a staple in Portland, but a new WNBA team is on the way. How do you expect the city to turn out for them?
JN: I think the excitement for Portland to have a WNBA team again is absolutely palpable. It has been for years but now with the growth and popularity of both college and the other professional teams, leagues, and women’s sports, I think it will be at a fever pitch.
MW: You've been used as a model for many other women's sports bars across the country. What advice have you given others, and what advice would you give to someone who wants to bring the same type of venue to their area?
JN: So many folks have reached out to ask all kinds of questions. Some of them have everything to do with small business ownership and being an entrepreneur. Some of them are questions only women’s sports bar owners would ask. For the most part, I just listen. I try to find ways I can help with my limited knowledge and experience. Again, it’s important to remember that we aren’t even 3 years old yet. But oftentimes, people just want a sounding board to bring ideas, fears, insecurities, excitement, and passion, too. I feel like my role is to listen and to try to help them the best way I can.
My advice would be to follow your passion and do it authentically. If you’re in it for money, popularity, tickets to the game, you’re not gonna thrive. Women’s sports is a community and a culture that is so incredibly rich and diverse, and once you’ve tapped into that network in a really authentic and genuine way, they’ll embrace you like family.
MW: Who was your all-time favorite women's athlete growing up?
JN: Oh, I had so many. Top of mind is Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes because BASKETBALL. But I remember just being enraptured by Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Kristi Yamaguchi from the Olympics.
The W Sports Bar
Not for a lack of effort, but Cleveland showed out over the past year-plus in hopes of landing an NWSL team. Alas, it went to Denver (the city that should not be named in Cleveland for at least the next 7 years), but Cleveland isn’t just a sports town – as you’ll see on merchandise around the city – it’s a women’s sports town.
In 2024, it hosted the NCAA Final Four, and a WNBA team to Cleveland seems imminent, as a group led by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert put in a record-breaking bid of $250 million to bring a team back to the city.
While an official announcement should take place prior to the WNBA Draft, a source at the league office told Walking Bucket that: The WNBA has received formal bids from many interested ownership groups in various markets and we are currently in the process of evaluating these proposals.”
NWSL team or not. WNBA (official) team or not, a group comprised of three women’s sports-obsessed fans – Cassy Kopp and Ally Eclarin, owners of State Champs, and Shelley Pippin, owner of Cleveland-staple Brewnuts – are bringing Cleveland its first women’s sports bar in 2025.
I spoke to Eclarin about the idea.
Michael Waterloo: The W Sports Bar is showing that Cleveland is a women’s sports town before it officially becomes one. What was the ultimate push that made you and the others decide to explore this venture?
Ally Eclarin: The Final Four in Cleveland and the NWSL bid were the moment we knew without a doubt that this would work in our city. Cleveland shows out for women's sports and deserves a spot like this. Cleveland is a [women’s] sports town and has been for decades, but it cemented it with the 2024 Final Four plus the 15K deposits for our almost NWSL team. All of this showed us that women's sports belong here.
MW: You secured your location and are renovating it now. What made you decide on 5428 Detroit Avenue?
AE: The space checked every box we were looking for. It’s perfectly located near downtown for future gamedays and designed to foster both community and connection because of the layout of the space. With two distinct sections, it offers a welcoming, communal atmosphere while also featuring a dedicated area for a stage and more intimate gatherings, plus a space for a podcast space and a patio? We are about to be spoiled come summertime. Plus, it was turnkey enough that we can add our touches and fit our timeline to get open by.
MW: What are some common misconceptions about women’s sports as a whole and/or how they relate to The W Sports Bar that you’d like to put to bed?
AE: How much time do you have?
No one watches women’s sports: Couldn't be more wrong. Women’s sports viewership is skyrocketing. The 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship broke records. The NWSL and WNBA are expanding, and sponsorship dollars are flowing in. The fans are here, we just need more spaces to gather, and that’s exactly why we are opening The W.
Women’s sports aren’t as exciting: If you think that, you’re definitely not watching. The speed, skill, and intensity in women’s sports rival (and if we are being honest, tend to surpass) their male counterparts. If you’ve ever watched JuJu [Watkins] do her thing, Naomi Girma's defense, or yes even [Caitlin] Clark's logo threes … you know that the hype is very much real.
The W Sports Bar is only for women: Not true. The W is for everyone and anyone who supports great sports and an inclusive fan culture. Whether you’re a lifelong women’s sports fan or just getting into it, we welcome all fans who want to celebrate the game.
It’s just a trend: Women’s sports aren’t a fad. They’ve been here, they’re growing fast, and The W is here to support them for the long haul. This isn’t a niche movement that's going to fade out – it’s the future of sports culture.
MW: Let’s say in 5 years Cleveland has a WNBA and NWSL team. Which current player in each league would you love to see play in Cleveland?
AE: NWSL: Rocky Rodríguez, Emma Sears, Croix Bethune, and Jaedyn Shaw
WNBA: MARINA MABREY PLEASE! JuJu Watkins, Cameron Brink, Lexie Hull, and DiJonai Carrington
MW: What are some other activities the W Bar is looking to host for customers?
AE: Trivia nights, karaoke, book clubs, podcast recordings, concerts, open mic nights, movie nights, networking events, celebrate a teacher or coach nights, and so much more. We will be a true third space :)
Top 10 List
The top 10 list is back this week, and we are going to stay on theme today.
Presenting the top 10 women athlete-themed drinks that should be a thing.
- The Queen's Gambit: Napheesa Collier
- FAAFO: Simone Biles
8. The GOAT: Diana Taurasi
7. Of Course She Has a Drink: A’ja Wilson
6. Rose Plant: Rose Lavelle
5. Sleepy Hollow: Sam Coffey
4. Buckle Up: DiJonai Carrington
3. Einhorn: Satou Sabally
2. The Wizard: Marine Johannès
- Triple Espresso Martini: Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, and Mallory Swanson
Let's Go Dancing
The field is set, and I, for one, cannot wait until the NCAA Tournament kicks off this week.
I did a huge bracket preview yesterday for The Athletic, so I encourage you to check it out!
I’ll be in Birmingham, Alabama for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, but here is a full breakdown of all 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament.
Strengths. Weaknesses. What to know. Projections.
Walking Bucket x Flagrant Mag
The bracket challenge is open now for the NCAA Women's Tournament. The winner receives a subscription to Flagrant Magazine.
Sign up below before play starts to be eligible to win:
Seafoam SZN Gets Cloudy
No big deal, WNBA. It’s not like we were all watching the Unrivaled semifinals and Selection Sunday last night. What a time to announce a trade.
Anyways, we got some big news, as The Athletic’s Ben Pickman broke the news that Natasha Cloud will be joining the New York Liberty in exchanged for the No. 7 pick in the WNBA Draft and New York’s first rounder in 2026.
A WNBA trade in the middle of a bracket reveal! The New York Liberty have acquired Natasha Cloud from the Connecticut Sun in exchange for the No. 7 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, and New York's 1st round pick in 2026.
— Ben Pickman (@benpickman.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Quick analysis: This is a perfect fit. Cloud didn’t want to be in Connecticut, and there was some offseason discussion about her finding her way to the Liberty. She’s a premiere on-ball defender, which should help the Liberty, who ranked No. 10 in defensive rating last year in the WNBA.
With Kayla Thornton heading the Golden State and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s knee less-than healthy, getting a lockdown defender — and guard depth with Courtney Vandersloot’s departure for Chicago — was a must for the Liberty.
Mission accomplished.
NWSL Takeaways
Each week, I’ll highlight my top takeaways from the weekend that was in the NWSL. With every team now playing a match, here are my takeaways from this past week.
- Chicago and Portland are in trouble: We knew this, of course, but it was never more evident than it was this past weekend. Chicago was routed by Orlando, and it can’t get Mallory Swanson back soon enough (take your time and take care of yourself, Mal).
- How young is too young?: McKenna Whitman appeared in a match for NJ/NY Gotham Saturday, making her officially the youngest player to ever play in an NWSL game. She’s 14 years old. I’m sorry, but that’s … a child? There are provisions in place where a parent or guardian must live with the player, but 14? The league needs to make sure that the proper structure is in place for her.
- Stopping the Pride: The Pride’s big three of Marta, Barbra Banda, and Ally Watt look nearly unstoppable (I see you, Spirit fans). Just how dominant were they over the Stars? The Pride had 12 corners — Seattle, for comparison, had 0 — and its two xG is higher than every team’s actual goals outside of the Spirit and Current.
Until Next Time
Keep an eye out on your mailbox for the next Walking Bucket.
Until next time.
I love you awesome nerds.
