Larry King, Ex-Husband of Billie Jean King Who Helped with Growth of Women's Pro Tennis, Dies at 81
He helped create the WTA Tour and World TeamTennis and was credited by Billie Jean King as an unsung hero of women’s professional tennis.
- On Friday, Larry King, 81, died at his home in Grass Valley, Calif., of prostate cancer; he co-founded the WTA Tour and the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match.
- Meeting at Cal State-Los Angeles in 1965, Larry and Billie Jean King married for 22 years while becoming business partners who co-owned Virginia Slims Tour tournaments.
- World TeamTennis, co-founded by Larry and Billie Jean, featured colorful courts and revamped scoring system that helped popularize women's tennis breakthroughs in the early 1970s.
- Billie Jean King called him "one of the unsung heroes in the establishment of women's professional tennis," saying his intelligence and humor helped navigate her career for more than 20 years.
- Beyond his tennis work, Larry co-founded Roller Hockey International and the Bridge Pro Tour in Grass Valley; he is survived by wife Nancy Bolger King, son Sky King, and daughter Katie King.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Associated Press News
Larry King, ex-husband of Billie Jean King who helped with growth of women's pro tennis, dies at 81
Larry W. King, the former husband of Billie Jean King who partnered with her on the creation of the WTA Tour and the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, has Friday.
Visionary Who Helped Transform Women's Tennis, Ex-Husband of Billie Jean King Dies at 81
The tennis world is mourning the loss of a man whose impact stretched far beyond the spotlight. Larry W. King, the former husband of tennis icon Billie Jean King and one of the key figures behind the rise of women’s professional tennis, has died at the age of 81. Though rarely the face of the movement, many within the sport credit King as one of the most important architects of women’s tennis during its transformational years. Larry King Dies at…
Larry King, Tennis Promoter and Billie Jean's Former Husband, Dies at 81
Sad to hear about the death of Larry King, the dreamy All-American boy who helped build women's tennis during his 22-year marriage to Billie Jean King and then stood by her when her lesbian affair was revealed. He was 81 and died following an unspecified illness.His tennis legend ex, who remained a lifelong friend and was godmother to his children from a second marriage, shared the news on social media, writing: Larry was one of the unsung heroe…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
