Bobby Riggs V. Billie Jean King Match And Passing Of Title Ix
Imagine a society where men and women were treated equally. Women are treated differently by men than women in many aspects of life, including sports. In athletics, men and women did not have the same opportunity or pay. Women were seen as inferior, so they had to cook, do the housework and clean. Title IX enabled women from all races and ages to enjoy equal participation in education and sports. Title IX has been passed as a result of the Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King match. It helps women achieve equality in sport and education.
Many years ago, women were treated with contempt. Women athletes were discriminated and denied participation in sporting events by many sports clubs. The women were denied athletic scholarships, and the championships held by women’s teams did not include women (Title IX). Billie Jean King’s fame as a tennis player was the focus of sport industry. She was vocal in her support for women’s rights and founded many foundations to aid women. Bobby Riggs, then a 55 year old tennis player, was known to be against women’s equal rights and wanted the opportunity to compete with its best female players. The “battle of sexes”, as it was called, has been used for many years to refer to tennis matches where two women played. Margaret Court lost her match against Riggs in spring. Riggs had the opportunity to prove that he was right in his belief that women could not beat him. Riggs wanted to face Billie, and pleaded with her to participate. She agreed in July to a match with a $100,000 prize for the winner. Riggs was known for his arrogance and boldness. He played the part of the dominant male Riggs, making statements such as: “she’s female and she doesn’t have emotional stability to be able to win” or “women are for the bedroom and the kitchen”. King had other priorities, including a secret affair with her female employee. However, she was determined to challenge him in order to disprove his statements.
On September 20, 1973, the event was held in Houston Astrodome with over 30,000 spectators and 90 million online viewers. King was escorted onto the court by Rice University’s men’s track and field team members in a gold sack. Riggs made a more extravagant entrance, riding a rickshaw with women known as Bobby’s bosom friends. (Greenspan). Riggs wore blue sneakers for his first three matches and a yellow jacket on the back that said “sugar daddie”. King fell behind at the beginning of the match but managed to recover. Riggs accepted that he had to practice more and not take the match lightly. King beat him 6-4,6-3. Riggs then demanded another match.
Many viewers were shocked that King had beaten him. This match is a measure of progress and women’s sporting achievements in the ’70s. The U.S. Open that year was the very first Grand Slam Championship to offer equal prize-money to male and female competitors. King received many endorsements following the match, including Adidas sneakers, Wilson Tennis Rackets and Colgate Toothpaste. King was “arguably” the first American female superstar after the match. King, after winning the match in New York City, founded a nonprofit organization to aid female athletes.
Title IX provides protection against discrimination due to sex when it comes to education programs and activities funded by the federal government. Title IX provides that: “No American shall be denied participation, denied benefits under, or subjected discrimination in any education program or educational activity receiving Federal Financial Assistance” (U.S Department Of Education). It ensured equal access to education. It was not until 1970 that most colleges accepted women. Nowadays, women and men attend more colleges. Women are given more scholarships and equal opportunities in athletics. The number of women athletes in high school has risen from just 259,000 back in 1972 to 2.6 million today (Title 9).
The Battle of the Sexes raised awareness about women’s rights to sports.
This event has helped to increase the respect and awareness of women athletes. Since Title IX was passed, women now have more opportunities to pursue their education and athletic career. Title IX helped to change the way women’s sports are perceived and their abilities were shown. This program continues to provide women with opportunities to pursue education, get athletic training and create their own legacy.
