Jim O'Donnell: King-Riggs “Battle of the Sexes” pushed TV sports into a brave new world

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs “Battle of the Sexes” — Thursday night, September 20, 1973. Few grasped the complete societal implications of the electric exhibition. Still, a whole lot tuned in. For context, prior to “The Battle,” none of the three legacied American television networks had ever featured a woman professional in a prime-time, competitive athletic event.

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