| Philadelphia Freedoms | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| League | World TeamTennis |
| Team history | Philadelphia Freedoms 1974, 2001–present |
| Stadium |
Cabrini College (2001-2007) King of Prussia Mall (2008-2009) The Pavilion (2010-Present) |
| Based in | Villanova, Pennsylvania |
| Team colors |
Navy Blue, White, Red |
| Owner | Billie Jean King |
| Head coach | Pascal Collard |
| Championships | 2001, 2006 |
| Mascot | Spirit the Eagle |
The Philadelphia Freedoms are a tennis team currently competing in World TeamTennis.
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The team traces its origin to WTT's inaugural season of 1974. The original team, actually called the Philadelphia Freedoms, starred tennis legend and social pioneer Billie Jean King, who had beaten Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" the previous year.
Other members of the team were: Fred Stolle (Australia), Brian Fairlie (New Zealand), Buster Mottram (U.K.), Julie Anthony (US), Tory Ann Fretz (US), Betsy Nagelsen (US) and Kathy Kuykendall (US).
Julie Anthony later married the owner of the team, Dick Butera, and they settled in Aspen, Colorado, where she practices as a sports psychologist. Nagelsen married the late Mark McCormack, the Founder and Chairman of International Management Group. McCormack who represented Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan amongst others, was often referred to as one of the most powerful men in sports. Mottram was a controversial figure who spoke publicly about his extreme right wing views and made unsuccessful attempts to become a Conservative candidate for the British Parliament. Stolle was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985. Fretz was inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in 1999.
Pop singer Elton John was a friend of Billie Jean King's, and was invited to participate in a promotional match during one of the team's games. In return, he was later inspired to write a song about King, also called "Philadelphia Freedom." In 1974, the Freedoms had the league's best regular-season record, but were upset by the Denver Racquets in the championship game. The following year, the Freedoms merged with the Boston Lobsters (ironically also a 2006 member of WTT as well).
The current team joined WTT in 2001. Before the beginning of the 2008 season, the Philadelphia Freedoms announced they would be leaving their previous home at Cabrini College. Their home matches would be played at the tennis stadium outside the King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (located near Philadelphia) from 2008 to 2009. For 2010, the Freedoms announced they would move to The Pavilion on the campus of Villanova University.
As of April 16, 2011.[1]
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