ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen Dead at 93

The update

Bill Rasmussen, whose vision created ESPN as the world’s first 24-hour sports network, died Tuesday at 93. The pioneer who transformed sports broadcasting passed away at his Florida home from complications of Parkinson’s disease, ESPN announced.

Why it matters

Rasmussen’s 1979 gamble launched what would become the “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” fundamentally changing how fans experience athletics. His entrepreneurial spirit—maxing out credit cards to secure satellite space and convincing skeptical sports leagues and cable operators—built the foundation for modern sports media. Without his risk-taking, today’s 24/7 sports coverage landscape wouldn’t exist. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro called Rasmussen “a remarkable man—a visionary and an innovator who conceived the idea of a network entirely devoted to sports.” Veteran anchor Chris Berman referred to him as “our George Washington,” noting his glass was “always overflowing with optimism.” In 1994, USA TODAY dubbed Rasmussen the “Father of sports television.” Though he left ESPN after a few years, his initial meeting with the NFL opened doors to what would eventually become “Monday Night Football” on ESPN.

What to watch

ESPN’s response to Rasmussen’s death and how the network honors his legacy. The company has acknowledged his role as founder and first president, with Pitaro noting that “none of us would be here today if it wasn’t for Bill’s passion and all the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit he put into building ESPN in the late 1970s.”

Sources

• espn.com — confirming death details and Rasmussen's role founding ESPN
• Yahoo Sports — additional context on ESPN's statement and Rasmussen's legacy
• The Wrap — additional context on ESPN's statement and Rasmussen's legacy
• USA TODAY Sports — additional context on ESPN's statement and Rasmussen's legacy