The Man Who Built ESPN | Chattanooga News

Bill Rasmussen, co-founder of ESPN and visionary behind the 24/7 sports network, passed away at 93 after battling Parkinson’s. His bold idea — a sports-only channel — started locally in Connecticut but grew into a national powerhouse with backing from Getty Oil and an NCAA deal secured on launch day. Though ousted by Getty just a year after ESPN’s 1979 debut (which aired a slow-pitch softball game), Rasmussen was later honored for his genius, attending ESPN’s 20th and 40th anniversaries and becoming a beloved pioneer. Remembered for his optimism and relentless belief in sports TV’s potential, his legacy continues to shape how millions experience the game every day. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/6b1d2723de0ccf0c