PORTLAND, Ore. — A groundbreaking move by the nation’s first women’s sports bar aims to change the narrative of a notable mishap from a past NCAA Tournament. The Sports Bra, located in Portland, Oregon, has revamped the court featuring the mismatched 3-point lines from the 2024 women’s tournament into a unique bar top.
The mismatched lines drew significant attention to the tournament, designating the court as a symbol of the growing focus on women’s sports. According to Jenny Nguyen, founder of The Sports Bra, this attention underscores the need for women’s sports to be taken seriously and no longer be ignored.
Nguyen reflects on the event, indicating that the transformation of the court transpires the narrative, serving both as a memory and a showcase at the bar. “It’s like the silver lining,” she explained, suggesting the court now serves as a testament to the evolving recognition of women’s sports.
During last year’s Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games in Portland, the court’s 3-point lines posed a significant error, being 9 inches short on one side. The issue, resulting from human error by the finishing company, led to re-drawing the lines before the UConn versus Southern California regional final.
This court issue was one of several that marred the 2024 women’s tournament. In Spokane, both men’s and women’s opening rounds clashed with a youth volleyball event, requiring some women’s teams to stay in Idaho. Unfortunately, Utah’s women’s team reported racial slurs during their stay there. Furthermore, a referee was excused at halftime from a match in Raleigh due to a conflict of interest, and another incident involved a player having to remove a nose piercing.
Jenny Nguyen sees this year’s women’s March Madness as a relatively controversy-free zone, signifying positive advancements for women’s sports. Incorporating the old court into a bar top aligns with Nguyen’s belief in celebrating progress rather than dwelling on past mistakes.
The Sports Bra, inaugurated in 2022, has inspired a rise in women’s sports-themed bars across the nation, including Rough & Tumble in Seattle and A Bar of Their Own in Minneapolis. With investment from Reddit co-founder and Angel City FC owner Alexis Ohanian, The Sports Bra plans to broaden its reach. Nguyen envisions parts of the storied court being used at these new venues.
Reminiscent of the 2021 spotlight on inequitable tournament facilities, Nguyen emphasizes that such incremental challenges facilitate enhanced experiences for women’s sports teams. “It’s just a wild ride,” reflects Nguyen, affirming her commitment to this evolving journey.