AWSN Power Players: Annie Weaver and Miranda Spencer (Owners, The 99ers Sports Bar)

All Women’s Sports Bar Network

When Annie Weaver and Miranda Spencer teamed up to create The 99ers Sports Bar, they weren’t just opening a business—they were building a movement. Born from a shared passion for sports and a desire to uplift women athletes, The 99ers is more than just a bar; it’s a vibrant community hub that celebrates inclusion, resilience, and representation. In this interview, the co-founders reflect on their journey, the challenges they’ve faced, and the powerful stories that fuel their mission. Their story is a testament to what’s possible when vision meets purpose.

Growing up in small towns—Spencer in Washington and Weaver in Iowa—both were often the only girls on their teams. Spencer played everything from ice hockey to softball, while Weaver found her passion in soccer, drawing inspiration from her idol, Mia Hamm, and the iconic 1999 U.S. Women’s National Team. Their athletic journeys paralleled in a pivotal way: both played flag football competitively until it transitioned to tackle, a point where their dreams were put on pause when their mothers refused to sign the paperwork. What once felt like a setback would become a meaningful bond between them.

Years later, both women ended up in Colorado, not knowing each other, until fate brought them together on a flag football field. That chance meeting sparked an instant connection built on shared experience, love for the game, and a desire to uplift women in sports. Within two months, Annie pitched the idea of a sports bar dedicated to celebrating women's athletics and community, and Miranda was all in. The 99ers Sports Bar was born—not just as a business, but as a tribute to every girl who’s ever felt overlooked in sports. It’s a space where women’s achievements are honored, stories are shared, and a new generation of athletes can feel seen and inspired.

We spoke with these trailblazers to uncover what drives them, why they chose to open a women’s sports bar, and the keys to their success as budding entrepreneurs.

Find out why Annie Weaver and Miranda Spencer join the esteemed ranks as AWSN Power Players!

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AWSN: Why a sports bar for women? Tell us how the dream began.

Annie and Miranda: The vision for The 99ers Sports Bar was sparked in 2022 when Annie Weaver visited The Sports Bra—a sports bar where women’s sports weren’t an afterthought but the main event. Inspired by the inclusive and empowering atmosphere, Annie dreamed of creating a similar space in her own community. In April 2023, fate stepped in when Annie Weaver met Miranda Spencer during a flag football game. Both lifelong athletes, they bonded quickly over their shared passion for sports and a mutual desire to elevate women’s athletics and serve their community. Just two months after Annie shared her idea, the duo brought The 99ers Sports Bar to life.

AWSN: Sitting at your bar top is a dream team of your favorite women athletes past or present. Who are they?

Miranda: Sue Bird, Billie Jean King, Serena Williams

Annie: Mia Hamm, Dawn Staley, Billie Jean King

AWSN: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while establishing this business? How did you overcome them?

Annie and Miranda: One of the biggest challenges we faced was obtaining clear, consistent answers—especially in areas where we lacked experience. Too often, we would receive guidance from one source, only to later get conflicting information from others. This inconsistency cost us both time and money, as we frequently had to revisit and correct earlier decisions. We also encountered situations where we trusted professionals to handle parts of the project, only to be surprised by unexpected changes in scope—often accompanied by additional costs. These experiences taught us the importance of being proactive, asking the right questions, and ensuring that all information and agreements are clearly documented in writing, whether it's from specialists or contractors. Despite the setbacks, we’ve built valuable relationships throughout the process, and we're grateful to have a strong network of trusted professionals to support us in future projects.

AWSN: How do you foster a sense of community among your patrons? Are there any particular events or traditions that have become staples of your bar?

Miranda: Fostering a sense of community is at the heart of The 99ers Sports Bar. Whether it’s gathering to watch a game or simply spending time with friends, our doors are open to everyone. Annie and I have had the privilege of witnessing incredible connections form within our space—friendships, relationships, and stories of perseverance from athletes and patrons alike. One of our favorite traditions, which began as a lighthearted joke between us, is clapping whenever someone walks through the door. Over time, it caught on, and now it’s a small but meaningful way we welcome every guest.

Supporting women-owned brands and businesses is also a core part of our mission. We proudly collaborate with Women’s Sports Weekly, a local, women-led podcast that covers the latest in women’s sports. The hosts even lead a Thursday run club that starts and ends at our bar, bringing together an active and engaged community. We also partner with the WNBA Club, working closely with its two female founders to boost visibility for the league. One of the co-founders, Dea, is a talented artist whose work is displayed in our bar and available for purchase.

Our commitment to the community is ongoing. We strive to support as many local and women-led initiatives as possible, and we’re proud to be a space where people connect, celebrate, and grow together.

AWSN: Which women’s sports aren’t getting the love that you and your clientele would like to see?

The PWHL deserves greater visibility and a more reliable platform for streaming its games. At The 99ers Sports Bar, we’ve seen firsthand the passion of our loyal PWHL crowd—but the current streaming options, primarily YouTube and Twitch, often fall short. These platforms can be glitchy and inconsistent, leading to frustration for fans who simply want to support the league. With the expansion teams recently announced, it's clear that interest in the PWHL is growing. Securing a dependable broadcast partner would not only improve the viewing experience but also help elevate the league and bring women’s hockey to a wider audience.

Do you see growth in media coverage and viewership of women’s sports affecting your business? In what ways?

Absolutely. The growth in media coverage and viewership of women’s sports has a direct and positive impact on our business. As more fans become engaged with women's athletics, there’s a growing demand for spaces that actively support and celebrate those sports. It no longer feels like a debate—women’s sports are thriving, and people are watching.

This increased visibility matters on so many levels. It gives young athletes the opportunity to see women competing on major platforms, inspiring them with tangible role models and showing them what’s possible. That kind of representation is powerful. As a business, being able to provide a space where fans can come together to cheer on women’s teams, and where young athletes can feel seen, is incredibly meaningful. It's the kind of space we wish we had growing up—and now, we get to create it for the next generation.

AWSN: Do you attribute your success to any strategy or decision in particular?

Miranda: Without a doubt, one of the most important factors behind our success has been our ability to adapt and pivot when needed. This business is always evolving, and we’ve come to understand that there’s rarely one “right” way to do things. What’s carried us through is our mindset. Annie always says, “Everything is figure-out-able,” and that’s become our motto throughout this entire journey.

We’ve overcome countless obstacles—uncertainty, missteps, and moments of doubt—but each challenge has only strengthened our belief in what we’re building. Over time, we stopped questioning whether we could do this and started embracing the fact that we already were. Our success isn’t just rooted in strategy; it’s grounded in resilience, passion, and the unwavering determination to turn a dream into something real and lasting.

AWSN: What is the most memorable event or reaction from a customer that has stuck with you?

The most memorable moments for us are always the heartfelt testimonies from the generation before us—those who paved the way and broke barriers so that we could play, compete, and dream freely. These are the women who fought when the world wasn’t ready, who showed up when no one was watching, and who carried the torch for women’s sports long before it was celebrated. Their words stay with us, because without them, none of this—our bar, our community, our platform—would be possible.

One moment that gave everyone in the room chills happened during the Unrivaled finals. A senior women’s softball team joined us that day, not just to cheer on the game, but to help raise visibility for their sport and share the stories that brought them there. One woman stood up and told us how, as a girl, she had to sneak out just to play softball—because she wasn’t allowed. She ended her story by saying, “Keep playing sports… because I wasn’t allowed to.”

That moment stopped the bar in its tracks. It was raw, powerful, and unforgettable. It reminded us exactly why we do what we do. We’re not just running a bar—we’re building a space where past, present, and future generations of women in sports are honored, seen, and celebrated. And that, to us, is everything.

AWSN: What advice would you share with women wanting to make it in the business of women’s sports?

Lean into your community – you don’t have to do this alone. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who believe in your vision and will be there to lift you up when the journey gets difficult. Ask questions, even when you feel like you should already know the answers. And above all, never lose sight of your why.

Connect with Miranda, Annie, and The 99ers Sports Bar here:

www.the99erssportsbar.com

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