Adidas Releases Billie Jean King's Blue Suede Shoes

Adidas has launched a new lifestyle shoe, the Billie Jean King Shoe, inspired by the blue suede Adidas footwear worn by tennis legend Billie Jean King during her historic "Battle of the Sexes" match against Bobby Riggs on September 20, 1973. Approximately 90 million viewers worldwide watched King's victory over Riggs at Houston's Astrodome. King's choice of blue suede shoes, along with a mint dress designed by Ted Tinling, was a deliberate move to incorporate color into her attire, deviating from the traditional all-white tennis outfits of the era. She reportedly had to advocate for wearing the colored shoes, as the prevailing custom dictated white attire with blue stripes. King donated her original pair of blue suede shoes to the Center for Women's History in 2016. The new Adidas release aims to capture the essence of King's original footwear while adapting it for contemporary lifestyle wear. The Billie Jean King Shoe is priced at $110 and is available in blue and off-white colorways. Each pair features an image of King and her signature on the tongue, with the match's set scores printed on the heel. An Adidas spokesperson stated that the goal was to "preserve the look and spirit of Billie Jean King’s original Blue Suede Shoe while adapting it into a silhouette that could live naturally in today’s lifestyle footwear landscape." Billie Jean King herself commented that the shoes represent more than just a single match, serving as a reminder of progress made towards equality and the ongoing work required. She expressed hope that their revival would inspire future generations to advocate for equality and utilize their voices for positive change. The "Battle of the Sexes" match, a significant cultural event, saw King defeat Riggs, who wore a "Sugar Daddy" jacket. Riggs acknowledged King's superior performance post-match, stating, "I underestimated you." The release of these shoes coincides with the U.S. Open tennis tournament, drawing attention to King's enduring legacy and her impact on both sports and broader social movements.