Tag: Billie Jean King

Sabrina Ionescu gave Bille Jean King vibes in NBA 3-Point Contest

The 3-Point Contest was reminiscent of the Battle of the Sexes between tennis legends Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.

During the 2023 WNBA All-Star Weekend, Sabrina Ionescu won the 3-point contest and shattered the record held by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry by amassing 37 points. This set the stage for a head-to-head contest between Ionescu and Curry at the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.

This contest proved one of the highlights of All-Star Weekend. While Ionescu finished with 26 points, Curry won with a solid 29 points. However, the competition was about much more than whomever won. It was about appreciating talented players, despite their gender or league.

Shooters can shoot. Period.

It was reminiscent of the Battle of the Sexes between tennis legends Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973. More than 30,000 people were in attendance at the match, which King won in straight sets — 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 — and took home the $100,000 prize money. But, much like the 3-point contest, the real prize was what it meant for women’s sports and the fight for equality, equity and inclusion.

“I don’t know what’s going to come out of it, but me and Sabrina talked about how cool of an opportunity it is to do something that’s never been done before in our game,” Curry said. “And for her to have a presence on this stage is going to do a lot to inspire the next generation of young boys and girls that want to compete and see themselves in either one of us. Wherever it goes from there, we know we can kind of plant our flag as doing something really special.”

The viewership for NBA All-Star Saturday night was the highest in four years, with an audience peak at 5.4 million viewers from 10-10:15 p.m. ET during the 3-point contest.

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Billie Jean King wants Annika Sorenstam to help usher in a women’s pro event to Augusta. ‘No pressure!’

“I think you (Annika) will make a big difference. You stand for so much and people listen to you and appreciate you.”

Annika Sorenstam said the invitation to join Augusta National was “one of the happiest days” of her golfing life. Golfweek’s Adam Schupak broke the news of her green jacket fitting one week ago. The 10-time major winner is the first LPGA pro to become a member of the prestigious club, which began inviting female members in 2012.

“I mean, what can I say? I’m extremely honored,” said Sorenstam. “It was a surprise, I must say that. I was so excited. … I am a total rookie, just learning the ropes. I’m not really sure where this will lead, but I’m thrilled and excited about the opportunity to not just play the course but to get to know the members.”

Sorenstam addressed the news on Wednesday while joining two other pioneers of sport – Billie Jean King and Lyn St. James ­– in a virtual roundtable to talk about Parity Week by Gainbridge.

Next week, Gainbridge will sponsor three flagship women’s events across three different sports, including The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge in Seville, Spain, and the Women in Motorsports North America “Women with Drive III – Driven by Mobil 1” summit.

Billie Jean King speaks onstage during the International Tennis Hall of Fame Legends Ball Honoring Billie Jean King at Cipriani 42nd Street on September 09, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for the International Tennis Hall of Fame)

King offered Sorenstam her congratulations as well as her big dream for golf.

“My prayer for Augusta is to have a women’s LPGA event,” King told Sorenstam and reporters on the call. “I know they have the amateur girls, but I want to see a pro tournament. So I hope that happens.

“I think you (Annika) will make a big difference. You stand for so much and people listen to you and appreciate you.”

The iconic King followed that up with “No pressure!” and everyone laughed.

The theme of the conversation was the shift that’s taking place in women’s sports, with King and others noting that progress has reached a tipping point.

The namesake for “Parity Week” is Gainbridge’s sister company, Parity, a brand sponsorship platform committed to closing the gender income and opportunity gap in professional sports.

Next week, 180 female athletes will compete for $12.85 million during Parity Week. Forty percent of Gainbridge’s sponsorship dollars support women’s sports. The national average is 9 percent, according to Parity CEO Leela Srinivasan.

King wants to see it at 50-50 across the board.

What does Sorenstam think of a Masters Tournament for women, a true sign of parity for the sport?

“Don’t put her on the hot spot yet,” said King. “We’ve got to give her a couple years, man. She’s got to get to know the members first. You’ve got to get to know how it works.

“It’s a lot of hard work. It’s fun, you keep learning.”

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It’s Sarah Fuller Saturday as Vanderbilt player is celebrated

Vanderbilt’s Sarah Fuller is being celebrated as she gets ready to kick in an SEC game.

Sarah Fuller is the lone kicker listed on the Vanderbilt roster for its game with Missouri on Saturday. She is dressed out for the SEC game and ready to kick for the Commodores. Her moment is being appreciated.