Billie Jean King Named One of America’s Greatest Living Innovators by Forbes

February 17, 2026

Forbes named Billie Jean King to this year’s Innovator 250 List, recognizing her as one of the country’s greatest living innovators at No. 208.

Unveiled February 11th, this list honors transformational business leaders and entrepreneurs. It is part of a year-long Forbes campaign to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Forbes cited King as having “catalyzed women’s professional sports” through the founding the WTA. In 1970, King was one of nine players — known as the Original 9 — who signed symbolic $1 contracts to establish the Virginia Slims Tour, the predecessor to the modern WTA.

Three years later, King gathered more than 60 players in London one week before Wimbledon to formally create the WTA. with her peers electing her president. JUST WOMEN’S SPORTS