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AUSTIN, Texas — There’s a new spot near the University of Texas in Austin that’s celebrating women’s sport in a unique way.
It’s called the 1972 Women’s Sports Pub, and it’ll dedicate its TV screens solely to women’s sports.
Earlier this week, co-owners Debra Hallum and Marlene du Plessis cut the ribbon to officially welcome everyone in for business.
“We need everyone watching women’s sports,” Hallum said.
Hallum said this is a chance to put a spotlight on games that are overlooked despite growing viewership in the women’s sports world.
For example, last year’s women’s final four had 4 million more viewers than the men’s, in large part because of Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark.
The inspiration came through an online news article Hallum said she saw a few years back, where someone opened up a women’s sports bar in Portland, Oregon. Hallum and du Plessis then visited in a similar bar in Seattle.
Soon after, Hallum and du Plessis decided Austin should have one, too.
“Women’s sports is now more available than it’s ever been, and I think that’s very important that people know it’s there,” said Hallum.
The year attached to the name also has significance. 1972 is the year Title IX was enacted by U.S. Congress, eliminating sex-based discrimination in educational programs.
Through the name, Hallum said they wanted to spur their own change in the community.
“We wanted to have that significant title that represented a change in girls and women’s sports,” Hallum said.
She also stressed that all sports fans are welcomed.
“If women watching women’s sports could fix the gap and fix everything, it would have been fixed years ago,” said Hallum.
The timing of the pub’s opening comes just in time for March Madness, where primetime games will be highlighted on the schedule. People will be able to get an update of what games will be shown through the pub’s social media pages.
Hallum said the pub will be partnering with local teams such as Austin Rise FC, is a soccer team founded and led by a group of women. The bar is also partners with the University of Texas at Austin’s women’s basketball team.
The pub will also be giving back through donations. According to its website, 10% of profits made will be given to local nonprofit groups that provide “athletic opportunities to girls and gender-expansive youth in Austin.”
1972 will be open Wednesdays through Fridays from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
