- adidas is bringing back Billie Jean King’s iconic Blue Suede Shoe, worn during the historic 1973 “Battle of the Sexes”
- Reimagined as a lifestyle silhouette, the shoe features details honoring King and the historic match, including her portrait and signature on the tongue, “1973” detailing on the left heel, and the match’s set scores on the right heel
- The Blue Suede Shoe will be available beginning August 24 on adidas.com, the adidas app and at select retailers
To honor long-time adidas partner and sports icon Billie Jean King and the start of the final major tennis tournament of the season in New York, adidas is bringing back King’s iconic Blue Suede Shoe more than five decades after she wore her original pair in the historic “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973.
King wore the blue suede shoes when she defeated Bobby Riggs in front of a global audience of 90 million people, a landmark victory that transcended tennis, challenged perceptions of women in sport and became a defining moment in the broader fight for gender equality.
adidas x Billie Jean King – Blue Suede Shoe
More than 50 years later, the Blue Suede Shoe remains a symbol of King’s impact on the court and in women’s sports more broadly. Reimagined as a lifestyle silhouette, the new release brings the original’s signature blue suede look into modern sport culture while incorporating details that honor King and the historic match, including her portrait and signature on the tongue, the year “1973” on the left heel and the match’s set scores on the right. Reflective of Billie’s own journey, the return of the Blue Suede Shoe connects a defining moment in tennis history with the continued growth and visibility of women’s sports today, bringing an iconic piece of adidas heritage to a new generation of athletes and fans.
“These blue shoes will always represent so much more to me than one match,” said Billie Jean King. “They remind me of the progress we’ve made, but also of the work that is still ahead of us. I hope bringing them back inspires the next generation to keep pushing for equality and to use their voices to create positive change.”
The Blue Suede Shoe will be available for purchase beginning August 24 on adidas.com, the adidas app and at select retailers.
About adidas
adidas is a global leader in the sporting goods industry. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany, the company employs around 65,000 people across the globe and generated sales of € 24.8 billion in 2025.
