Women’s sports fans rejoice as leading crypto exchange supports WNBA.
Women’s sports bars across the US erupted with cheers as the Minnesota Lynx triumphed over the New York Liberty in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship on June 25th. This celebratory atmosphere was fueled in part by Coinbase, the game’s sponsor.
Portland’s “The Sports Bra” bar, for instance, was packed with its 56-person capacity. Fans enjoyed food and drinks, with a free beer or wine. They also received a free T-shirt after responding to an invitation from either the WNBA or Coinbase. Similar scenes played out in sports bars across New York City, St. Paul, and Seattle.
Coinbase’s support for the WNBA, which has spanned the last three years as part of a larger deal, proved to be well-timed. The league’s growth has been significant, according to Katie Leedy, operations manager at The Sports Bra, with stadiums even selling out for the first time in recent years.
“Encouraging women to participate in an updated, more empowering financial system is one reason we choose to partner with the WNBA. […] We’re proud to support female athletes, women-owned small businesses, and to celebrate in person with dedicated WNBA fans.”
Kate Rouch, Coinbase chief marketing officer
The Sports Bra, a women-only sports bar that debuted in February 2022 and claims to be the first of its kind, is riding the wave of growing interest in women’s sports. After raising funds through Kickstarter, the bar quickly gained success, reportedly generating $1 million in revenue within its first eight months.
Now, thanks to an investment from Alexis Ohanian’s 776 Foundation, The Sports Bra is poised to expand nationwide through franchising.
