PRESS RELEASE: Women’s Premier Basketball Association and The Sports Bra Team Up to Power the Pipeline in Women’s Basketball
Powering the pipeline and culture of women’s basketball
Bay Area, CA / Portland, OR — Tuesday, March 17, 2026 — The Women’s Premier Basketball Association (WPBA) and The Sports Bra today announced a strategic partnership aligning elite player development with culture-driven fan engagement. Led by Faatimah A and Jenny Nguyen, the organizations are teaming up ahead of the NCAA Women’s March Madness and the upcoming WPBA season to expand professional-athlete pathways and strengthen the women’s basketball ecosystem. The collaboration will launch at the 2026 WPBA Combine, taking place April 3–4, 2026, at the Sun Devils Fitness Complex at Arizona State University.
“For nearly four years, the WPBA has been intentionally building momentum and driving structural change in women’s basketball,” said Faatimah A, founder and CEO of the WPBA. “The Sports Bra has created a true home for women’s sports fans and helped make the demand undeniable. Through teaming up, we are building professional pathways that match the talent, visibility, and attention this game has earned and help shape what’s next for women’s basketball.”
The partnership brings together the premier developmental league for women’s basketball and one of the most influential cultural forces in women’s sports fandom. Together, WPBA and The Sports Bra will amplify visibility, deepen community connection, and help shape a more sustainable future for women’s sports. The ripple effect will create greater opportunities for athletes, coaches, and officials on and off the court.
The Sports Bra founder and CEO, Jenny Nguyen, has garnered national attention for redefining the traditional sports bar model, creating a dedicated home for women’s sports and proving that demand, community, and culture thrive when given space.
“The WPBA is doing the work of building what women’s basketball has long needed,” said Nguyen. “They are building a system to invest in development and create real opportunities. As a result, they are uplifting women and advancing the entire ecosystem. We are honored to support their vital work.”
For the first time in WPBA history, the Women’s Premier Basketball Association will host its own WPBA Combine during NCAA Women’s Final Four Weekend. The two-day professional evaluation event will bring together elite athletes, personnel from the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), coaches, international agents, brand partners, and basketball leaders. The Combine will serve as an official entry point into the WPBA and a high-level platform for talent identification, professional development, and direct access to the league.
As part of the agreement, The Sports Bra logo will be prominently displayed on the WPPBA jerseys and on the WPBA website.
Faatimah added, “As women’s sports continue to experience unprecedented momentum across media, fandom, and investment, the partnership signals a broader shift toward founder-led, values-driven collaborations that prioritize long-term impact over short-term attention.”
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About the Women’s Premier Basketball Association
The Women’s Premier Basketball Association (WPBA) is the leading development league in women’s professional basketball, providing opportunities for players, coaches, and officials. Founded in 2022, the WPBA is building a pathway for athletes to advance to the WNBA and top professional leagues worldwide while strengthening the long-term infrastructure of the global women’s basketball ecosystem. The league is athlete-first, development-driven, and community-rooted.
About The Sports Bra
Founded in April 2022 in Portland, Oregon, The Sports Bra is the first sports bar that exclusively televises women’s sports. In 2025, The Sports Bra announced its expansion to four more cities with franchise locations opening in Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis. The family-friendly bar and restaurant offers delicious food, great drinks, and an inclusive space that supports, empowers, and promotes the players and fans of women’s and girls’ sports. Visit TheSportsBraOfficial.com to find out what’s playing and what’s on the menu.