Latest Billie Jean King News

A $1 billion proposal is the latest plan to refurbish and save the iconic Houston Astrodome

Nov. 13, 2024 18:01 PM EST

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astrodome has been in limbo, waiting for its chance at a second life since being shuttered more than 15 years ago. It was a technological marvel when it opened in 1965. But its heyday has long passed and it hasn’t been home to a sports team since the...

Billie Jean King Cup Finals to begin with added attention given to victims of deadly floods in Spain

Nov. 11, 2024 07:57 AM EST

MADRID (AP) — The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will begin in Malaga this week in a closer partnership with the Davis Cup and with some added attention given to the victims of the deadly floods that recently devastated eastern Spain. It will be the first time that the women's team...

Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup encourage donations for Spanish flood recovery efforts

Nov. 05, 2024 08:58 AM EST

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — With the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup set to be played in Malaga, Spain, this month, the International Tennis Federation is making a donation to the Spanish Red Cross to support relief and recovery efforts for the recent catastrophic flooding in the...

Billie Jean King and 100 athletes celebrate the 50th anniversary of her Women's Sports Foundation

Oct. 17, 2024 01:14 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Billie Jean King started the Women’s Sports Foundation with a $5,000 check. She’s turned that investment into $100 million and a half century of helping girls and women achieve their dreams through travel and training grants, local sports programs and mentoring...

Billie Jean King named grand marshal for the 136th Rose Parade on Jan. 1

Oct. 07, 2024 14:28 PM EDT

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Tennis great Billie Jean King will preside over the 136th Rose Parade as grand marshal next year. King, who turns 81 next month, was introduced Monday in a shower of confetti on the lawn of Tournament House as “Philadelphia Freedom,” the hit song Elton...

Billie Jean King nets another legacy honor: the Congressional Gold Medal

Sep. 27, 2024 17:51 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Billie Jean King is now the first individual female athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation Thursday to recognize King for “a remarkable life devoted to championing equal rights for all, in sports...

Today in History: September 20, Billie Jean King wins “Battle of the Sexes”

Sep. 20, 2024 00:01 AM EDT

Today is Friday, Sept. 20, the 264th day of 2024. There are 102 days left in the year. Today in history: On Sept. 20, 1973, in their so-called “Battle of the Sexes,” tennis star Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, in the Houston...

Billie Jean King set to earn another honor with the Congressional Gold Medal

Sep. 17, 2024 21:09 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Billie Jean King will become the first individual female athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey announced Tuesday that their bipartisan legislation had passed the House of...

Billie Jean King moves closer to breaking another barrier and earning the Congressional Gold Medal

Sep. 05, 2024 16:58 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Two members of the House of Representatives say the have lined up enough votes to make Billie Jean King the first individual female athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey said...

Does American tennis have a pickleball problem?

Aug. 27, 2024 14:01 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Does American tennis have a pickleball problem? Even as the U.S. Open opened this week with more than a million fans expected for the sport’s biggest showcase, the game’s leaders are being forced to confront a devastating fact — the nation’s fastest-growing...