On April 7, 2025, beneath the iconic shimmer of Hollywood, Billie Jean King—tennis legend, activist, and proud Cal State LA alumna—was honored with the 2,807th star onthe Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first woman ever recognized in the category of sports entertainment.
The moment was historic—but also deeply personal.
“It’s an honor to be the first woman in the sports entertainment category,” King told the crowd. “But the important thing is that I don’t want to be the last one. We all need to work together to make sure women in sports are celebrated here in Hollywood.”
Held at 6284 Hollywood Boulevard, just outside the W Hotel, the star dedication ceremony drew a powerful mix of admirers, allies, and trailblazers from across the entertainment and athletic worlds. Hosted by Walk of Famer and iHeart Radio personality Ellen K, the event featured remarks by Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis and NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, both of whom honored King’s enduring influence on sports, culture, and society.
But beyond the star-studded guest list and global fanfare, the day stood as a recognition of something larger: a life dedicated to fighting for fairness, dignity, and visibility—for women, for the LGBTQ+ community, and for anyone who has been told to stay in the margins.
Photo: Billie Jean King, seated, was joined for the unveiling of her Hollywood Walk of Fame star by, from left, California State University Trustee Jean Picker Firstenberg, Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, and Cal State LA Athletics Director Daryl Gross.
A Cal State LA Legend
Among those in attendance were leaders from the Cal State LA community, including President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, Athletics Executive Director Daryl Gross, and California State University Trustee Jean Picker Firstenberg—all there to celebrate not just King’s athletic dominance, but her deeper legacy of leadership.
“Billie Jean King is one of Cal State LA’s most distinguished alumni,” said President Eanes. “She has earned national and international acclaim not only for her athletic excellence but also for her lifelong commitment to social justice and equality. She has achieved so much personally, but her priority always is to help others—especially women—rise to the same level she has ascended.”
King, who attended Cal State LA in the 1960s, credits the University as one of the first places where she began to find her voice—not just as an athlete, but as a young woman unafraid to challenge systems and stereotypes.
Today, that voice continues to echo across generations.
A Legacy That Transcends Sports
King’s star is more than a physical marker on Hollywood Boulevard. It is a symbol of transformation—of a time when a woman decided that no limitations would be placed on female athletes.
She won 39 Grand Slam titles, defeated Bobby Riggs in the legendary “Battle of the Sexes,” and helped launch the Women’s Tennis Association. Off the court, she has been a fierce advocate for Title IX, equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health awareness. Her work has helped shift policy, culture, and perception—not only in locker rooms, but in boardrooms and classrooms alike.
And now, with her name immortalized among the stars, her fight becomes part of the fabric of Hollywood’s story.
A Star That Shines for Others
The Hollywood Walk of Fame, administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the City of Los Angeles, exists to celebrate those who have shaped our culture. King’s induction sends a clear message: sports, like art, is a platform for change—and those who lead with courage will be remembered not just for what they won, but for what they gave.
And thanks to her, the path forward is a little brighter—for every girl with a dream, and every student with a cause.