Wave Staff and Wire Reports
LOS ANGELES — It has been a big week in the life of sports legend and champion of equality Billie Jean King.
Five days after she was honored Oct. 2 by having a statue of her unveiled at Cal State Los Angeles, King was named the grand marshal of the 2025 Tournament of Roses, meaning she will lead the 136th Rose Parade and take part in pregame ceremonies during the 111th Rose Bowl Game.
King, 80, has long been regarded as one of the greatest women’s tennis players of all time, with 39 grand slam titles to her credit — 12 in singles competition, 16 in women’s doubles and 11 in mixed doubles. She is also a pioneer in the women’s rights and gender-equality movements, perhaps best highlighted by her 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” victory over Bobby Riggs.
“You have no idea how excited I am to be here today and be the grand marshal of the 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade,” King said during a ceremony Oct. 7 at Tournament House in Pasadena. “I looked at the list of grand marshals who came before me, and they’re absolutely the who’s who of American history. And I’m truly thrilled to be part of the Tournament of Roses family.
“This is like a dream come true,” she added. “The annual Tournament of Roses parade was a big deal in our home. We used to talk about it all year long. … “And the Rose Bowl stands in history, not just for college football, but it also for me, personally, it will always be significant as the host site of the 1999 World Cup of women’s soccer.
That game, which had more than 90,000 people in the stadium, was a historic moment for all sports, but especially women’s sports, because everyone said nobody’s going to show up. And they had over 90,000 people.”
King has an ownership stake in Angel City FC, as well as the Dodgers.
The theme of the 2025 Rose Parade is “Best Day Ever!”
King said the roots of her activism in support of equality dates back to when she was 12 years old and saw the largely white membership at the L.A. Tennis Club.
“I said where’s everybody else? So that day, and knowing that tennis is global … I promised myself that I’d always fight for inclusion and really champion equality. That was that moment I’ll never forget as long as I live. So at 12 years old, my course was set, it’s not negotiable.”
King was equally pleased with her statue on the grassy area outside of the Physical Education Building at the Billie Jean King Sports Complex at Cal State L.A.
“I’m so honored,” King said. “This statue on our campus will connect us forever. It reminds me that our legacy is not what is important. Your legacy is what other people say about you, but our contributions to our communities is what will define us forever.”
The bronze statue by renowned sculptor Brian Hanlon honors King’s numerous contributions to Cal State LA and serves as inspiration to the campus community. It was made possible through generous donations by King’s wife Ilana Kloss, George and Kathy Hicker, and John Chapple.
The event drew a crowd of about 500, which included California State University Chancellor Mildred García, Cal State Board of Trustees Chair Jack B. Clarke Jr., Cal State Trustee Wenda Fong and Assemblywoman and Cal State L.A. alumna Wendy Carrillo.
King ended her address to the crowd with personal news that drew some of the event’s loudest cheers.
“When I left this campus in 1964 to become the No. 1 tennis player in the world, I was not able to complete my degree,” she said. “I am happy to announce that I will be re-enrolling in Cal State L.A. to finish my degree. It’s never too late!”
King attended Cal State L.A. from 1961 to 1964 but left to concentrate on her tennis career.
“The value of a good education has always been important to me, and I learned a great deal while I was on this campus,” King said. “At that time, my focus was really to be the greatest player in the world, No. 1 in the world, and to change our sport — from amateur to professional. We used to get $14 a day. That had to end. So, I left Cal State L.A. and went on a journey to make my sport better, to make a difference in the life of others. Tennis was my platform.”
“Billie Jean King is the embodiment of our traditions of success and activism,” said Cal State L.A. President Berenecea Johnson Eanes.
During the university’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1997, Cal State L.A. bestowed King an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters in recognition of her athletic achievements and the distinction those accomplishments brought to her alma mater.
King has hosted for 20 years the Billie Jean King & Friends event at Cal State L.A., which has raised more than $4.5 million for athletic scholarships.