Podcast Summary: "Billie Jean King Had NO IDEA This Birthday Party Was Coming!"
Podcast: Welcome to the Party
Hosts: Abby Wambach & Julie Foudy
Featured Guest: Billie Jean King
Date: November 20, 2025
Episode Overview
In this jubilant, celebratory episode, Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy secretly throw an on-air 82nd birthday party for tennis and equality legend Billie Jean King (“Kinger”). This “ultimate pregame celebration” in the middle of NWSL Championship Weekend becomes a joyful tribute to King’s enormous legacy—surprising her with video messages from friends, fellow athletes, actors, and advocates whose lives she has touched.
The episode is both a heartfelt history lesson on King’s groundbreaking contributions to sports and society, and a lighthearted, laugh-packed party complete with costumes, stories, and a cameo appearance by King’s partner, Ilana Kloss, delivering a birthday cake. King, frequently overwhelmed and reflective, spends as much time celebrating her friends as they do celebrating her.
Key Discussion Points & Memorable Moments
1. Setting the Scene: The Surprise Party Begins
- [00:00–02:20] Julie and Abby open with festive banter and inside jokes about tennis dresses, setting a playful tone.
- The setting is the “Ally House” at NWSL Championship Weekend, filled with fans and athletes—signaling women’s sports as a movement and a community.
2. Top 10 Ways Billie Jean King Changed the World
- [03:10–11:04] Instead of listing the “82” ways Billie shaped history, Julie and Abby recount the “Top 10”—an inspiring segment full of gratitude, humor, and teachable moments.
Key highlights include:- Formation of the Original Nine and founding the WTA [03:10]
“She showed us the power of a unified women's sports movement.” —Julie Foudy [03:17]
- Demanding Equal Prize Money after the 1972 US Open [04:45]
“She taught us…to never settle for the crumbs.” —Abby Wambach [04:46]
- Battle of the Sexes and its legacy [05:36]
“It didn’t just inspire athletes. It inspired futures.” —Julie Foudy [06:00]
- Women’s Sports Foundation & Title IX Advocacy [07:11, 08:36]
“Kinger made sure that Title IX was fully realized. She…turned policy into actual participation.” —Julie Foudy [08:36]
- Athlete Activism and Ownership [08:00, 09:06]
- Business Case for Women’s Sports [09:52]
“Investing in women—isn’t a favor, it's smart financially and morally.” —Julie Foudy [10:00]
- Representation: “See it to Be it” [10:23]
“You have to see it to be it. It wasn’t just a quote; it was her mission.” —Abby Wambach [10:24]
- Formation of the Original Nine and founding the WTA [03:10]
3. The Big Surprise: Videos from Across King’s Life
- [20:40 onward] As the party continues, Julie and Abby begin revealing a stream of heartfelt and often hilarious video tributes from Billie’s friends and admirers. Each message is followed by candid stories and reactions from Billie:
Notable Appearances & Quotes
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Robin Roberts (GMA anchor) [23:53]
“I hope you know, I really hope you know the impact you have had and continue to have on me.” —Robin Roberts [23:53]
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Holly Hunter & Gordon MacDonald, then Jamie Lee Curtis (Oscar winners) [27:00]
Jamie Lee: “Yes, we share the same birthday. But you’re the GOAT!” [27:10] Billie Jean (teasing): “She is out there. She does those scary movies. Oh my god! Anyway, she introduced me at the Walk of Fame…” [28:50]
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Rosie Casals & Connie "Spooner” [29:15]
“We’ll wear the bows all day on your birthday…We love you and wish we could share in the cake!” —Rosie Casals [29:36] Billie (reflective): “Probably pound-for-pound, Rosie’s the greatest athlete of my generation.” [30:00]
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Christiane Amanpour (CNN anchor) [32:18]
“You’ve been fighting for women’s rights, you’ve been fighting for everything that is right. And I celebrate you.” [32:33] Billie: “She’s a dynamo…She really got among the people.” [33:05]
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Lindsay Davenport (Tennis HOF) & Kendall Coyne Schofield (Ice Hockey captain) [34:28]
“From the time I met you…I realized a lot of the opportunities I have… were because of how hard you fought for so many people you never even knew.” —Kendall Coyne Schofield [34:42] Billie: “Kendall…is the fastest skater on the ice. And you should read her book, ‘Fastest Her.’ It’s a great book. I’ve read it twice.” [37:20]
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Mary Carillo (broadcaster, comedian) [40:00]
“When you were born, you birthed a whole bunch of us, right?…You gave us our dreams, our hopes, our opportunities…everything that has happened in my life, I have to say, is because of Billie Jean King.” [40:46]
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Susan Williams (Billie’s childhood friend) [42:57]
“You might be interested in playing tennis with me. … We played at a neighbor's court first and then our mothers began to take us to free lessons…” [43:03] Billie: “She is the reason for my life, really. Because she asked me, ‘Do you want to play tennis?’ and I said ‘What’s tennis?’…I thank her. She’s on my blessing list every morning.” [44:52]
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Ilana Kloss (partner and wife), delivers King’s cake [46:50]
“You are the love of my life. You changed the world. You changed my life. And I know you’re not done yet.” —Ilana Kloss [46:50]
4. Billie Jean King’s Reflections on Legacy & Purpose
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[48:39–51:14] Julie asks Billie where her drive comes from and why she still works tirelessly:
“Why? We’re driven. We love it. Helping others helps yourself as well…What is life without people? Love people. … I want kids to have the dream because you can have a dream.” —Billie Jean King [49:03] “If you invest in people and other people’s dreams, you can’t lose.” —Abby Wambach [50:17]
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King is visibly touched and jokes throughout, but her sincerity shines:
“Thank you. I appreciate that. I love the fact the trio here. I look forward to our shows. Man, I’m ready. Let’s party. Let’s party.” [51:04]
Memorable Quotes with Timestamps
- “If you’re getting bored, it means you’re not asking good questions.” —Billie Jean King [38:40]
- “What would we have done without you? Nothing.” —Julie Foudy [10:23]
- “Every girl who’s ever picked up a racket, a soccer ball, a hockey stick has lived in the world Billie built.” —Abby Wambach [10:24]
- “She is the reason for my life, really. Because she asked me, ‘Do you want to play tennis?’” —Billie Jean King on Susan Williams [44:52]
- “Helping others helps yourself as well…What is life without people?” —Billie Jean King [49:03]
Important Timestamps
- 00:00–02:20: Party kick-off, birthday surprise setup
- 03:10–11:04: Top 10 Ways Billie Jean King Changed the World
- 20:40–46:00: Surprise guest tributes (Robin Roberts, Holly Hunter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rosie Casals, Christiane Amanpour, Lindsay Davenport, Kendall Coyne, Mary Carillo, Susan Williams, Ilana Kloss)
- 48:39–51:14: Billie Jean King on legacy, purpose, and investing in the next generation
Episode Tone & Style
- The episode is energetic, affectionate, and irreverent—mixing big history with inside jokes and personal stories.
- The hosts’ admiration for King is matched by laughter, teasing, and just plain fun.
Summary Takeaway
This episode is more than a birthday party. It is an exuberant celebration of Billie Jean King’s transformative legacy—not only as a sports icon, but as a tireless champion for equality, inclusion, and joy in women’s sports. The love and impact are palpable, both in the tributes and in King’s own humble reflections. As the party closes, it’s clear: every celebration in women’s sports is in some way a celebration of Billie Jean King.