Downtown Durham bar aims to shine light on women’s sports: ‘Embrace everyone’s fandom’

E. O.’s Athletic Club is set to open in Downtown Durham at the start of the college basketball season.

E. O.’s Athletic Club is set to open in Downtown Durham at the start of the college basketball season.

E. O.’s Athletic Club is set to open in Downtown Durham at the start of the college basketball season.

E. O.’s Athletic Club is set to open in Downtown Durham at the start of the college basketball season.

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — Architectural designs are underway for what will soon be an inclusive sports bar that shines a light on women’s sports. E.O.’s Athletic Club is set to open in Downtown Durham at the start of the college basketball season.

“We want it to be a super warm and welcoming place where you’re going to want to be here whether there’s sports on or not,” said co-owner Michelle Vanderwalker.

She shared that there are plans to remove the stage and have the big projector to watch the big games. Vanderwalker and her business partner Sean Umstead also own Queeny’s, Kingfisher, QueenBurger and Killer Queen Wine Bar.

“We really want to be a place that helps normalize just expecting to see a women’s basketball game in the middle of a bar,” said co-owner Sean Umstead.

This comes as there is debate around whether WNBA players should be paid more. Downtown Durham, Inc. said this new sports bar would be the first of its kind, which could open doors for other business owners to make bold statements too.

“Hopefully, the traffic that will come through here at E.O.’s will open a larger audience to women’s sports. Hopefully, that becomes a ripple effect, and more and more people will start to watch women’s sports,” said Heather Wilson with Downtown Durham, Inc. “To be able to have a sports bar showing women’s sports at least 50 percent of the time is a game-changer.”

The bar will be named after E.O. Wilson, a biologist and naturalist known for his study of ants, whom the business partners admire because of his interest in sports and people.

“It’s a really fun way to get to know members of your community and just remember the joy of playing as a kid,” said Vanderwalker.

She showed pictures submitted by people in the community from their childhoods that will be featured on the bar top. Construction is set to start soon and the owner’s anticipate the bar will open in October.

“We want to embrace everyone’s fandom,” said Umstead.

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