“Love Billie, Zero Bobby” — Battle of the Sexes Tee (1973)
Part sports merch, part feminist slogan, this novelty shirt came out of the cultural frenzy surrounding the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
Held at the Houston Astrodome and watched by millions, the match became far bigger than tennis itself. Riggs marketed the event through chauvinistic showmanship and media spectacle, while King entered the court carrying the pressure of representing women’s equality in sports on an international stage.
When King defeated Riggs in straight sets, the moment instantly became symbolic—seen by many as a turning point in the broader fight for recognition and respect for women athletes.
