Tennis icon Billie Jean King going to Agassi Prep

Tennis great Billie Jean King has agreed to be the commencement speaker for Agassi Prep on June 1 at the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy.

King's 39 Grand Slam singles, doubles and mixed-doubles titles included six Wimbledon singles championships.

But the four-time U.S. Open champion might be best remembered for "The Battle of the Sexes" in 1973, when she faced Bobby Riggs, a former world No. 1 player who crowed that at age 55 he was superior to the top female tennis players.

Riggs, who months earlier had easily defeated the world No. 1 Margaret Court, 6-3, 6-1, hyped his showdown with King at Houston's Astrodome by playing the male chauvinist card. It worked: An astounding 50 million viewers tuned in to see whether Riggs could put up or shut up.

King struck a blow against sexism in sports and society by defeating Riggs, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

Agassi, through a representative, said he was excited to have "such a great role model" for the school's third graduating class.

STANDOFF AT SURRENDER

Late-night partyers at Surrender Nightclub at Encore nearly got to see UFC stars Jon Jones and Rashad Evans square off.

UFC champion George St. Pierre broke up the poolside standoff by ordering them to settle the spat elsewhere.

Tension between them has been escalating since Jones said he would consider fighting Evans if UFC President Dana White wanted the superstar matchup. Evans had taken the position they wouldn't fight each other because the friendship came first.

About 400 UFC fighters are in town for a UFC convention at Red Rock Resort.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court alleges that an "A-list celebrity of substantial fame internationally" knowingly exposed a sex partner to the herpes virus in Las Vegas on April 1. The plaintiff seeks $20 million in damages from the unidentified defendant, who is well-known for TV and film roles and is worth in excess of $100 million, according to the lawsuit. The documents didn't stipulate whether the plaintiff was male or female but said the sex occurred in a sprawling penthouse in a luxurious hotel.

MAY I RECOMMEND

The park for the Neon Boneyard, home to more than 150 iconic signs mostly from the old Vegas era, had its grand opening on Thursday. The park is part of the Neon Museum at 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. ... Or, tickets are still available to Opportunity Village's annual spring fundraiser Saturday.

The evening's theme, "In the Mood," will feature Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss, the Las Vegas Academy Jazz Band, and singer Mark Giovi. Former Mayor Jan Jones is hosting. Information: 880-4005.

SIGHTINGS

UFC contender Vladimir Matyushenko got married Wednesday on the spur of the moment at the Red Rock Resort while attending the Fighter Summit. In attendance was Jason Brilz, knocked out by Matyushenko in 20 seconds during their fight in Toronto last month. The best man was Jared Hamman, another UFC athlete.

THE PUNCH LINE

"There was a naked guy running around on the subway. Charlie, Charlie, Charlie.'' -- David Letterman

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.