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Billie Jean King's 'Give Me the Ball!' Documentary Premieres to Standing Ovation at Sundance
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "Give Me the Ball!", centered on tennis icon Billie Jean King, premiered on January 26, 2026, at the Eccles Theatre in Park City, Utah, during the Sundance Film Festival. The screening at Park City High School's Eccles Center drew an enthusiastic crowd, which erupted into a standing ovation as soon as the credits rolled, followed by another when directors Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff took the stage. Billie Jean King, the 82-year-old former world No. 1 tennis player, capped the event by lobbing tennis balls deep into the audience, celebrating her storied career.
Directed by Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff, the documentary is produced by Dominic Crossley-Holland, Dan Cogan, and Jay de Andrade in association with Ridley Scott Associates, Story Syndicate, and Elton John’s Rocket Sports. Garbus described King's legacy as unparalleled, stating, “She is a generational athletic talent, a pioneer in women’s sports, and a leader in the fight for equal pay and against discrimination in sports and society.” Wolff added that 1973 marked a tipping point for King's career and American society, encompassing issues like abortion rights, LGBTIQA+ inclusion, the Equal Rights Amendment, and the Vietnam War.
The film structures its narrative around King's pivotal 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" match against Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome, where the 29-year-old King defeated the 55-year-old Riggs 6–4, 6–3, 6–3 before 30,492 live spectators and an estimated 90 million viewers in 37 countries. This event, a cultural milestone for gender equality, is depicted as the dramatic apex, but the documentary traces King's full arc, including her founding of the Women’s Sports Foundation and her internal struggles with binge eating and her sexuality.
King's journey as a bisexual woman is addressed directly and respectfully in the film, covering her relationship with Ilana Kloss, the fallout from her 1981 outing which led to lost sponsorships, and her resilience as a coach and mentor. King herself reflects in the documentary, “At 12 years old I dedicated my life to achieving equality for all,” emphasizing her lifelong commitment to women's sports and broader justice. Archival footage and animated stills with subtle rainbow prisms highlight her identity, adding visual energy without gimmickry.
Interviews with Chris Evert, Rosie Casals, Serena Williams, Julie Heldman, Larry King, and Ilana Kloss provide dynamic insights into King's influence. The film closes with King completing her history degree, echoing her mantra: “Know your history because that’s how you shape the future.” Marsha Cooke, Vice President and Executive Producer at ESPN Films, noted, “Billie Jean King’s story is one of breaking barriers and challenging the status quo, and her legacy as a trailblazer continues to inspire generations.”
Post-premiere, directors Garbus and Wolff joined King for discussions, including at The Vulture Spot at Sundance, underscoring the film's relevance to ongoing fights for equality in sports and society. Critics hailed it as a top-tier 30 for 30, vibrant and emotional, with one review awarding it 5 out of 5 stars for capturing King's revolutionary spirit. The premiere reaffirms King's enduring impact on transgender people, bisexual individuals, and the broader LGBTQ+ community through her advocacy against discrimination. Further broadcast details will be announced later.
