This Day is Sports Business History

On October 3, 1971, Billie Jean King cemented her place not only in tennis history but also in the business of sports. With her victory at the Virginia Slims-Thunderbird tournament in Phoenix, King became the first woman in professional tennis to surpass $100,000 in prize money earnings in a single calendar year. The milestone underscored the growing commercial viability of women’s tennis, which had only recently broken away from traditional tours to form the Virginia Slims Circuit—a bold move that gave female athletes more control over their careers, revenue opportunities, and visibility. King’s achievement also highlighted the increasing demand from sponsors, broadcasters, and fans for women’s sports, proving that female athletes could command significant financial rewards in a market long dominated by men. This breakthrough moment not only advanced gender equity in sports but also laid groundwork for the modern era of multimillion-dollar endorsements and prize purses in women’s tennis.