Philadelphia Freedoms (1974) Dick and Ken Butera as a charter member of WTT in 1973. The team began play in WTT's inaugural 1974 season. The Freedoms played their home matches at the Spectrum. The centerpiece of the team was tennis legend Billie Jean King who served as its player-coach. King became the first woman to coach a professional sports team that included male players. Once King was signed on with the Freedoms, her good friend Elton John decided to write and record the song "Philadelphia Freedom" to wish her luck on her new venture with WTT and for the team to use as
Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative world’s most celebrated athletes. Nearly four decades ago, she embarked on a journey of equality and respect for women in sports. Today, Billie Jean is embarking on a new phase of her journey of inclusion with an understanding and direction no less profound than her actions of 40 years ago. Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative The Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative (BJKLI) is a leadership and diversity Nonprofit organization, founded by Billie Jean King in 2014. The BJKLI was created to address the critical issues required to achieve inclusive leadership that will lead to significant changes in how women and