A Billie Jean King 30 for 30 is coming to the Worldwide Leader.
On Thursday, ESPN announced that ESPN Films had officially greenlighted an upcoming documentary on the 80-year-old tennis legend. The newly announced 30 for 30 is in the production stages with Ridley Scott Associates and Story Syndicate, in association with Elton John’s Rocket Sports, all on board.
Here’s more from ESPN’s release:
The legacy of one of America’s first women’s sports stars is unrivaled, yet few people know the real Billie Jean: charismatic, mischievous, indignant, hopeful, stubborn, and determined as ever. This is the unfiltered, untold story of how she broke the rules and proved her critics wrong, told in her own voice and centered around one year that brings it all into focus: 1973.
Directed by Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmakers Liz Garbus (What Happened, Miss Simone?, Bobby Fischer Against the World) and Elizabeth Wolff (I’ll Be Gone in the Dark), and from producers Dominic Crossley-Holland, Dan Cogan and Jay de Andrade, the documentary promises to shed new light on King’s life and her transformative impact on sports and society.
In 1973, King achieved legendary status by defeating Bobby Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ and winning Wimbledon and the US Open. The film will delve into this pivotal year of her career.
“At 12 years old I dedicated my life to achieving equality for all,” said King. “That promise to myself has taken me on a journey of a lifetime full of joy, heartbreak, grit and guts. I have worked my entire life for women’s sports to take center stage. Today, girls and women athletes are living my dream. We hope to tell a story that will inspire future generations and make a positive impact in the lives of others.”
“The legacy of Billie Jean King is like none other,” said Garbus. “She is a generational athletic talent, a pioneer in women’s sports, and a leader in the fight for equal pay and against discrimination in sports and society. Her bravery and her chutzpah are unmatched as she risked everything for everyone to have a chance at succeeding. Elizabeth and I are so excited to introduce Billie Jean to a whole new generation of young people who will see they are standing on her shoulders and be inspired to keep fighting for equality.”
“In 1973, Billie Jean King’s story wasn’t only at a tipping point for own legendary career, but for America as well with abortion rights, LGBTIQA+ inclusion, the unfulfilled promise of the Equal Rights Amendment, and the war in Vietnam all at a precipice,” said Elizabeth Wolff. “Billie Jean’s story is America’s story and Liz and I are thrilled to share how it’s just as sweeping and relevant as ever.”
Further details, including the premiere date, will be announced in the future. This announcement comes on the heels of ESPN’s recent announcement of a 30 for 30 documentary on the ‘New York Sack Exchange’ Jets defensive line, as well as the five new 30 for 30s that premiered over the summer.
[ESPN]
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.