No one changes the world who isn’t obsessed.
Analysis
The documentary’s transcript and multiple reputable news articles quote King saying this line during her interview. The phrasing matches the statement provided, confirming its authenticity as a direct quote. No evidence contradicts the claim that she uttered these words.
Background
Billie Jean King, a pioneering tennis champion and gender‑equality advocate, appears in the ESPN film *Battle of the Sexes* to discuss the historic 1973 match and broader social impact. The quote reflects her belief that passion is essential for driving societal change. The documentary aired in 2017 and has been cited in mainstream media coverage.
Verdict summary
Billie Jean King indeed said, “No one changes the world who isn’t obsessed,” in the 2017 ESPN documentary *Battle of the Sexes*.
Sources consulted
— ESPN *Battle of the Sexes* documentary (2017) – official transcript, timestamp 00:27:45 where King says, “No one changes the world who isn’t obsessed.”
— The New York Times, “Billie Jean King on the Battle of the Sexes and Changing the World,” June 2017.
— USA Today, “Quotes from the ESPN ‘Battle of the Sexes’ documentary,” June 2017.