Key Details
Price: $110Style Code: KH9857
- The adidas Billie Jean King 'Off-White' revives the 1974 signature model of tennis's first female athlete with an adidas signature shoe.
- The silhouette features off-white suede construction with royal blue Three Stripes branding and a gold BJK signature embossed around the heels.
- The shoe commemorates King's historic 1973 Battle of the Sexes victory over Bobby Riggs, a defining moment in women's sports and equality.
Billie Jean King made tennis history in 1973 in the legendary ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match. This year, adidas is celebrating her momentous victory with a rerelease of her signature sneaker, coming soon.
The Battle of the Sexes match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs took place in September 1973. The match was incredibly heated, during the midst of King’s fight for equal rights between the men’s and women’s players in the US Open. Riggs, a self-style male chauvinist and former world champion in the 1930s, proclaimed that even as a retired veteran (then 55 years old), he could beat any professional women’s player. Billie Jean initially declined his offer to play, but after he defeated the women’s top-ranked player, King changed her tune. Played at the Astrodome in Houston, the Battle of the Sexes is one of the most watched matches in tennis history. Billie Jean King trounced Riggs, winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. The decisive victory became an important step in the women’s rights movement, proving that dismissing women’s athletic abilities was not only wrong but outright embarrasing.
One year after the history-making match, adidas released Billie Jean King’s signature tennis shoe. King’s relationship with the Three Stripes dates back several years prior, but the BJK model made her the first female athlete in adidas history to have her own model. The silhouette was simple, using a single-piece construction for the upper with arching overlays on each side of the tow, and a low-cut collar. adidas is preparing to reissue the BJK this year, delivering a clean Off-White suede style for the first retro in some time.
ADIDAS BILLIE JEAN KING “OFF-WHITE” RELEASE INFORMATION
adidas has not yet announced the retro of their classic Billie Jean King signature sneaker, though pairs are expected to arrive very soon in 2026. Originally released in 1974 after her incredible performance over Bobby Riggs the year prior, the slim court silhouette lands in a clean off-white color for this release, paired with royal blue branding accents and a gold BJK signature around the heels. Pairs will be available from adidas and select retailers for $110.
adidas Billie Jean King (W)
Color: Off White/Bright Royal
Style Code: KH9857
Release Date: 2026
Price: $110
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