Welcome to the Party – The Billie Jean King Takeover Party

Podcast: Welcome to the Party
Hosts: Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach, Billie Jean King
Date: September 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This vibrant episode of "Welcome to the Party" is a Billie Jean King (BJK) Takeover Party – a celebration centered on the impact and legacy of Billie Jean King in women’s sports, most notably through the Billie Jean King Cup (BJK Cup), the world’s largest women’s international team tennis event. Soccer icons Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach join Billie Jean King to discuss the history, present, and future of the Cup, representation, gender pay equity, team versus individual sports mentality, and trailblazing moments in women’s athletics. The episode mixes humor, friendship, and lively banter with rich historical perspective and actionable inspiration for both athletes and fans.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Legacy of the Billie Jean King Cup

• Origins and Significance
  • Started in 1963 as the Federation Cup (Fed Cup), with 16 nations. Billie Jean played at age 19 on the first US team and was obsessed with getting the country’s name on the trophy first.
  • “We have to win this first one, because our name will go up on the cup!” (Billie Jean, 01:02)
  • Evolved into the Fed Cup in 1995 and renamed the Billie Jean King Cup after COVID.
• World Cup of Tennis
  • The Cup is likened to tennis’s World Cup, emphasizing team competition over individual performance.
  • “That’s where we play for our country, not for ourselves… I love that.” (BJK, 02:56)
• Current Format
  • 146 teams started; the finals feature the top 8 teams in Shenzhen, China (16–21 Sept).
  • Qualifying is rigorous, with home-and-away matches, “whittling down” to the final eight.

2. Growing Prize Pools and Gender Equality

• Record Prize Money
  • The 2025 pool is $7 million, among the richest in women’s sports – driven by sponsor Gamebridge and a drive for parity with the men’s Davis Cup.
  • “We get the same. In women’s tennis, trying to get the same.” (BJK, 04:59)
• Jacket Tradition
  • Custom Tory Burch “Billie Blue” jackets awarded only to champions, compared to the Masters’ green jacket.
  • “The players get so excited… you have to win. The captains get one too.” (BJK, 06:46)

3. Team versus Individual Sport Mindset

• Pressure and Performance
  • Conversation around how some athletes “raise their game” for team/country, and others “fold like a napkin.”
  • “Certain players raise their game because it is for their country… others fold like a napkin, really do not do well.” (BJK, 00:00)
• Mentality Shift
  • Billie Jean notes the profound difference between individual tournaments and representing one’s country.
  • “For tennis players, when they hear ‘15-Love, USA,’ they go gulp… it’s so tense.” (BJK, 04:07)
  • Both Billie Jean and Abby express a personal preference for team competition over solo play.
  • “We could not lose. It was so satisfying. That means more to us… we were playing for our country.” (BJK, 14:31)

4. Historic Firsts and Living History

• Name and Trailblazing Role
  • BJK Cup is the first major international team sports event named after a woman.
  • Billie Jean recounts finding her personal 1963 winner’s cup at her late brother’s house and intending to clean it as a family keepsake.
• Living History
  • Emphasis on “knowing your history” and keeping it alive to inform the present and future.
  • “Each generation has to earn it and win it… every generation thinks they’re going to solve it and you really don’t.” (BJK on Coretta Scott King, 25:14)

5. Looking Ahead – The Future of the BJK Cup

• Hopes for Growth and Visibility
  • BJK wants the Cup to become even more important and watched, with greater player participation and media coverage:
  • “I’d like all the players to want to play… but the money is really good, so they can’t say ‘the money’s terrible’!” (BJK, 16:12)
  • “The media is really important to us… More data, all these things are revenue streams we want for women’s sports.” (BJK, 17:08)
• Team USA Prospects
  • Enthusiastic about the US team’s chances, citing Jessica Pegula and Taylor Townsend as standouts.

6. Trailblazing Moments & Listener Questions (Just Ask the Kinger)

• Dream Podcast Guest
  • Billie Jean cites Coretta Scott King and Leonardo da Vinci.
  • Read Coretta Scott King's quote daily for inspiration.
• Signature Shoe Legacy
  • First woman to have a signature sneaker (Adidas, 1972). Shares a playful story about how her wife, Ilana Kloss, owns more sneakers than she does.
  • “I’ll bring them. I have an old, old pair. I’ll bring them.” (BJK, 29:03)
• PWHL Story
  • Billie Jean highlights her and Ilana’s behind-the-scenes role in launching professional women’s ice hockey, after Kendall Coyne Schofield reached out for support.

Notable Quotes

• On making history:
  • “I don’t count. I don’t take anything for granted. It’s an unbelievable privilege to ever have my name on anything.” — Billie Jean King (01:20)
• On team sports vs. individual:
  • “Some fold like a napkin… and others just rise to the occasion.” — Billie Jean King (04:59)
• On pioneer spirit:
  • “Tennis was not in the Olympics… my generation, Rosie’s generation, we never got to play in the Olympics because we weren’t allowed. So we don’t know how we would have done.” — Billie Jean King (15:17)
• On future hopes:
  • “I’d like it to become even more important than it is. I would like all the players to want to play… more people to watch.” — BJK (16:12)
• On living history:
  • “Each generation has to earn it and win it… every generation thinks they’re going to solve it and you really don’t.” — BJK (25:14 on Coretta Scott King quote)
• On personal keepsake:
  • “This is so dirty, but it’s the little, little cup… I’m going to get this cleaned …but I love that our names were on this. I was in shock.” — BJK (07:24)

Memorable & Fun Moments

• Jacket Tradition (06:36): Billie Jean enthuses about the bespoke “Billie Blue” jackets for winners, adding a fun Masters vibe to tennis.
• Sneaker Stories (27:00): The playful debate about how many sneakers Billie Jean and Ilana own, and the pride in being the first woman with a signature sneaker.
• Offbeat Party Energy: Abby, Julie, and Billie joke about wearing crowns for the “takeover,” showing a zany, family-like chemistry (03:49, 23:33).
• Kendall Coyne Schofield's Impact (29:11): Billie Jean gives heartfelt credit to Kendall for jumpstarting the PWHL.
• "USA! USA!" Chant: The trio close in party style with a coordinated, if chaotic, rally cheer (32:18).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:02] Billie Jean revisits the founding of the Fed Cup/BJK Cup.
• [03:41] Format of the BJK Cup – from 146 teams to 8.
• [04:59] Discussion on equal prize money for women’s tennis.
• [06:36] Billie Jean Blue jacket tradition.
• [07:24] BJK finds her 1963 winner's cup—family, legacy, and pride.
• [09:53] Know Your History: The Past (origins, renaming, significance).
• [10:56] Qualifying process and team selections.
• [11:58] Team psychology: who thrives under international pressure.
• [13:30] Preference for team sports; unbeatable doubles record.
• [16:12] BJK articulates her vision for the Cup’s future.
• [17:22] Team USA’s prospects and the state of women’s sports.
• [24:38] Ask the Kinger: Who’s your dream guest? (Coretta Scott King, da Vinci)
• [27:00] Sneaker talk: Signature shoes and family sneaker wars.
• [29:11] Honoring Kendall Coyne and the founding of the PWHL.
• [32:18] Joyful group “USA!” chant and sign-off.

Tone & Atmosphere

• Lively, informal, and celebratory.
• Deep respect and camaraderie between the hosts.
• Values of history, equity, community, and FUN shine throughout.

For Newcomers & Fans

This episode is a perfect primer on why the Billie Jean King Cup matters—not just as a trophy, but as a symbol for equality in sports, teamwork, and the ongoing battle for recognition and support for women athletes. Expect infectious laughter, a few history lessons, and behind-the-scenes banter matching the seriousness of the cause with the spirit of a true “party.”

Party Rule #1:
Have a sh*t ton of fun — and remember, every party here is for you.