Billie Jean King

10 Stories

50 Years Ago, She Took a Stand, and It Worked

Billie Jean King demanded female players at US Open earn the same as men

(Newser) - When Billie Jean King won the US Open in 1972, she didn't make the usual remarks about hoping to win again. Instead, she threatened to not play at all the next year—and added that no other women would, either. That's because she earned $10,000 for her...

Tennis Legend on Abortion: It Let Me Choose My Future

'We must never roll back our hard-won reproductive rights,' Billie Jean King writes in 'NYT' op-ed

(Newser) - Wednesday was one of the biggest days in nearly 50 years for abortion rights, as the heavily right-leaning Supreme Court heard arguments in a Mississippi case that could upend Roe v. Wade. One big name has now weighed in, speaking from her own experience and insisting "we must never...

Wimbledon's Women Are Referenced One Way, Men Another

Some want to know why the marital status of female players continues to be cited

(Newser) - Mrs. JM Lloyd and Mrs. LW King aren't household names, but you likely know who they are. Those are the official monikers bestowed upon Wimbledon champs Chris Evert and Billie Jean King by the All England Club, host of the tennis tourney since 1877 —a result of what...

Battle of the Sexes Is a Timely 'Pleasure'
Carell Brings
His 'A Game' in
Battle of the Sexes
MOVIE REVIEW
Sep 22, 2017 10:04 AM CDT

Carell Brings His 'A Game' in Battle of the Sexes

The film is timely and 'earnestly entertaining,' critics say

(Newser) - Battle of the Sexes takes viewers back to 1973 and the Houston Astrodome, the setting of the famous exhibition tennis match between feminist icon Billie Jean King (Emma Stone), then 29, and chauvinist Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell), then 55. As viewers learn, the game wasn't the only thing...

Obama to Skip Olympics, Send Gay Delegates

Napolitano to head up delegation as VP, first lady will also skip

(Newser) - For the first time since 2000, neither the US president, first lady, vice president, nor a former president will be attending the Olympic Games. But the US is sending a delegation to Sochi—a delegation that includes two openly gay athletes, the AP reports, calling it "a clear message"...

Bobby Riggs Accused of Throwing 'Battle of the Sexes'

To pay mafia debts, alleges new report

(Newser) - A new report by ESPN lobs some heavy accusations the late tennis legend Bobby Riggs—namely, that he threw the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" game he lost to Billie Jean King in order to pay off gambling debts to the mafia. A little history refresher: Riggs, then 55,...

Debuting Today: LPAC, the Lesbian Super PAC

Jane Lynch, Billie Jean King, and Laura Ricketts all on board

(Newser) - Laura Ricketts attends a lot of political fundraisers targeting gay donors, and she's noticed something: There aren't a lot of lesbians in attendance. That's one of the reasons why Ricketts, whose family owns the Chicago Cubs, has signed on as one of the founding members of LPAC,...

Medals of Freedom Will Go to Milk, Kennedy, Poitier

(Newser) - This year's Medal of Freedom recipients share a capacity to change the world, President Obama said today in naming the eclectic group. Among the 16 honorees are Sen. Ted Kennedy, slain gay-rights activist Harvey Milk, actor Sidney Poitier, tennis great Billie Jean King, and retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day...

Venus Going for Title No. 6 at Wimbledon

(Newser) - Wimbledon kicks off Monday with Venus Williams looking for a sixth title (and third consecutive) at a venue she’s come to rule, USA Today reports. “When she talks about Wimbledon, the tenor of her voice changes,” says Billie Jean King, whose Wimbledon total Williams would tie. “...

Breakfast With Billie Jean King
 Breakfast With
 Billie Jean King
Aug 10, 2008 9:58 AM CDT

Breakfast With Billie Jean King

Tennis legend dishes on life, love

(Newser) - As her book Pressure Is a Privilege hits shelves, tennis legend Billie Jean King discusses life as a feminist icon and her "Battle of the Sexes" victory over Bobby Riggs with Vanity Fair. "It caused social change, that tennis match. It was about Title IX," King says...

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