Bill Rasmussen, the visionary who founded ESPN, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 93. The network confirmed that his death was caused by complications related to Parkinson’s disease. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro paid tribute to the late founder, describing him as a remarkable innovator who possessed the foresight to conceive a television network dedicated entirely to sports.
The foundation for the network was laid in 1978 when Rasmussen and his son, Scott, began investigating the potential of emerging satellite technology to broadcast sports programming. Their efforts culminated on September 7, 1979, with the official launch of ESPN into 1.4 million homes, featuring the inaugural broadcast of SportsCenter. Rasmussen served as the company’s first president and was appointed chairman in July 1979, holding an active role until October 1980.
Under his guidance, the network pioneered 24-hour sports coverage and introduced audiences to the early rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Since those early days, when the company operated with roughly 80 employees, ESPN has expanded into a global media powerhouse. It now employs over 5,900 people worldwide and manages eight U.S. television networks, a dedicated sports app, and ESPN Audio services.
Rasmussen’s contributions to the industry were recognized in 2025 with his induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He was also named to the Sports 100 list, which honors the most influential figures in American sports history. Predeceased by his wife, Lois, in 2011, Rasmussen is survived by his three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The report also notes that eSPN was launched on September 7, 1979, in 1.4 million homes, with SportsCenter as its opening program.
