ATLANTA, GA (Atlanta News First) – Caitlin Clark may be the most popular athlete in North American sports, but if you want to watch a WNBA game, finding a place to watch isn’t always easy.
Former college soccer player Chelsea Fishman wants to change that, at least in Atlanta.
“My favorite sport to watch is soccer,” Fishman said.
She came of age in the 90s during the famous ’99 Women’s World Cup, and names like Chastain, Hamm and Scully are iconic to her childhood.
“Like other female sports fans, we’ve always wanted a place like a sports bar for women’s sports,” Fishman said.
Fishman set out to do just that, preparing to open the aptly named Sports Bar for Women in Sports in Atlanta.
“Jolene/Jolene/Jolene/Joleeeee,” sings Fishman, not quite in the same key as Dolly Parton in 1973.
Fishman is still finalizing the details of the exact location of the bar, named after his cat and his famous hit song, but is eyeing a March 2025 opening.
“I want it to be a place where when people think of women’s sports, they think of ‘Jolene Jolene,'” she said.
Naturally, some people are disgusted, and she hears the question “why?” over and over again.
“I think some people don’t see the value in celebrating women’s achievements,” Fishman said.
But the great thing about sports is its power to break down barriers and break new ground, and Fishman wants to make Jolene Jolene a place for the masses.
“Jolene Jolene is for everyone,” she said. “No matter what kind of fan you come as, we hope you leave as a female sports fan.”
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