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Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Billy Jean King and Bobby Riggs

Did anyone else hear about this? The 1973 tennis match between Billy Jean and Bobby was allegedly rigged by the mob. Apparently Bobby Riggs owed the mob over $100K and agreed to throw the match.

Hal Shaw, who was an assistant golf pro at a Florida country club, says he overheard two infamous mobsters discussing Riggs months before the legendary match.

“They brought up the name of Bobby Riggs, and Riggs assured him that he would go in the tank, and he’ll make it look and appear that he’s trying his best but Billie Jean King was just overwhelming him,” Shaw told “Outside the Lines.”

Billy Jean King is denying the rumors, but Bobby's son Larry did admit that his father knew members of the mob and that it was possible that he did throw the match.

I remember this match. It was huge at the time and ended up launching women's tennis into the stratosphere. All I can say is "Wow" if this is true.

"Summer afternoon-summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James