In 1981, Billie Jean King’s prior relationship with a woman was revealed to the sporting world. King was already a tennis superstar by this time. She had reached world number one status several times and won a dozen Grand Slam singles titles. But all of her success seemed in doubt when she was publicly sued by her live-in assistant, Marilyn Barnett. Barnett, with whom King had had a physical relationship, made demands for a house in Malibu and financial support. King appeared with her husband before the press to concede the facts of the affair, while blaming it on loneliness rather than an attraction to women. In a sense, King burrowed deeper into the closet. But the damage was already done. King quickly lost sponsorship deals, including with Wimbledon, and at least half a million dollars in endorsements. The following year, a judge called the case “attempted extortion” and threw it out of court. Interviewed by NBC in 2017, King spoke about what she'd do differently: “I’d come out earlier.”
