‘Sports Bra’ Bar Expands To Indianapolis – InkFreeNews.com

Jul 01, 2025

The Sports Bra, a bar and restaurant dedicated exclusively to broadcasting women’s sports, is expanding into Indianapolis as part of a national franchise rollout. Photo from The Sports Bra, FLI Media.

PORTLAND — The Sports Bra, the world’s first sports bar dedicated to exclusively showing women’s sports, is on a winning streak, and it’s adding four new cities to its roster.

The Indianapolis location is one of four new franchises set to open this year, alongside new sites in Boston, Las Vegas and St. Louis. The original location, launched three years ago in Portland, Oregon, has gained national attention for its unique focus on women’s athletics.

The expansion comes amid a surge in popularity and visibility for women’s sports. A report from marketing agency Barbarian and media outlet The GIST projects that revenue generated by women’s sports will reach $2.35 billion in 2024, representing a 300% increase from 2022. Media coverage of women’s sports has also risen sharply, increasing 275% over the past five years.

Since opening its inaugural restaurant in Portland, Oregon, in 2022, The Sports Bra has changed the channel on the traditional sports bar experience by only televising women’s sports. Now, due to women athletes, enthusiastic fans, and an ever-growing demand for spaces that support and celebrate women and girls in sports, The Sports Bra is expanding its impact to cities across the U.S.

Jenny Nguyen, founder and CEO of The Sports Bra, said, “The first four franchises of The Sports Bra will join our OG Portland location to become the ‘Starting Five.’ Together, we’re serving fans nationwide who are hungry for spaces that not only champion women’s sports, but create a community where everyone feels like they belong. There is no better moment than this to open these places.”

She cited Indianapolis’ support for women’s athletics as a key factor in its selection. The city is home to the WNBA’s Indiana Fever and strong collegiate programs, including those at Butler University.

Two years after The Sports Bra opened its doors in April 2022, the Portland-based bar announced that Alexis Ohanian’s 776 Foundation had invested in the business with the goal to expand through franchising. In October 2024, the brand officially launched its franchise website and invited potential franchisees to invest. Now, the first team of franchise owners of The Sports Bra has signed up to join the movement.

Each new location, including the Indianapolis franchise, will be locally owned and operated. Menus will feature inclusive dining options, such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free choices.

Menu items crafted at the flagship location, such as the Mom’s Baby Back Ribs, Aunt Tina’s Vietna-Glaze Wings, and Tempeh Reuben will be available at all locations, as will the signature cocktails including The GOAT, Title IX, Cherry Picker, and Pickle Ball.

Nguyen added, “Our team spoke with hundreds of interested people about opening a franchise location, and we’ve met some incredible people along the way. These owner and operators are capable, enthusiastic, and deeply committed to The Bra’s mission. We continue to support them as they locate the perfect spaces for their own Bras, and we can’t wait to celebrate with them when it’s time to open their doors!”

More information can be found at thesportsbraofficial.com.