Sports promoter and attorney
Remembering those we recently lost
Plant the first tree in their honor
Key moments and achievements from Lawrence King's life.
Lawrence was born
· Grass Valley, California, USA
Meeting
Met Billie Jean Moffitt in the library at Cal State LA in 1963. This encounter sparked his realization of gender inequality when he noted she could not get a grant despite her athletic prowess. This moment defined his lifelong commitment to advocacy.
Meeting
Met Billie Jean Moffitt in the library at Cal State LA in 1963. This encounter sparked his realization of gender inequality when he noted she could not get a grant despite her athletic prowess. This moment defined his lifelong commitment to advocacy.
Organization
Conceived the idea for a professional women's tennis tour. He helped organize the 'Original Nine' players to sign symbolic $1 contracts to launch their own circuit. This bold move challenged the existing tennis establishment.
Organization
Conceived the idea for a professional women's tennis tour. He helped organize the 'Original Nine' players to sign symbolic $1 contracts to launch their own circuit. This bold move challenged the existing tennis establishment.
Legal Work
Drafted the original bylaws for the Women's Tennis Association during a meeting of 60 players at the Gloucester Hotel in London. His legal expertise provided the structural foundation for the organization. This work solidified the professional status of women's tennis.
Legal Work
Drafted the original bylaws for the Women's Tennis Association during a meeting of 60 players at the Gloucester Hotel in London. His legal expertise provided the structural foundation for the organization. This work solidified the professional status of women's tennis.
Promotion
Played a central role in organizing and promoting the 'Battle of the Sexes' match. This event between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs became a cultural phenomenon. It remains one of the most significant moments in sports history.
Promotion
Played a central role in organizing and promoting the 'Battle of the Sexes' match. This event between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs became a cultural phenomenon. It remains one of the most significant moments in sports history.
Innovation
Co-founded World TeamTennis to introduce a new format to the sport. He implemented innovations like co-ed rosters, multicolored courts, and no-ad scoring. His goal was to make the sporting experience feel more like a party than a funeral.
Innovation
Co-founded World TeamTennis to introduce a new format to the sport. He implemented innovations like co-ed rosters, multicolored courts, and no-ad scoring. His goal was to make the sporting experience feel more like a party than a funeral.
Recognition
Honored with the inaugural Champions for Change Award by the WTA Foundation. This recognition celebrated his lifetime of advocacy for gender equity in sports. It served as a late-life validation of his immense impact on the industry.
Recognition
Honored with the inaugural Champions for Change Award by the WTA Foundation. This recognition celebrated his lifetime of advocacy for gender equity in sports. It served as a late-life validation of his immense impact on the industry.
Lawrence King passed away
