Full Breakdown
Bill Rasmussen, ESPN Co-Founder, Dies at 93 from Parkinson’s Complications
8/18/2026, 9:57:11 PM
Bill Rasmussen’s Death and Legacy
Bill Rasmussen, the visionary who helped launch ESPN in 1979, died at his Florida home at age 93. ESPN historian Mike Soltys said Rasmussen’s death resulted from the effects of Parkinson’s disease, which he announced in 2019 after being diagnosed in 2014. The co-founder’s career spanned advertising, radio, and a brief stint as public-relations director for the WHA’s New England Whalers before he turned his attention to a 24-hour sports network with his son, Scott.
Vision and Launch of ESPN
Rasmussen and Scott conceived a cable channel devoted solely to sports, initially targeting Connecticut audiences. Skeptical local cable operators prompted the idea to purchase satellite time, enabling a national reach. In 1979, ESPN began broadcasting from a studio in Bristol, Connecticut, with George Grande introducing the first “SportsCenter” and the network’s inaugural live event—a slow-pitch softball game between the Kentucky Bourbons and the Milwaukee Schlitz. The launch was backed financially by Getty Oil and secured a rights deal with the NCAA on the same day.
Early Ownership Turmoil
After only a year, Getty Oil forced the Rasmussens out; by 1980 Getty owned 85 % of ESPN. Texaco’s acquisition of Getty led to the sale of its ESPN stake to ABC in 1984. The Rasmussens remained estranged from the network until a 20th-anniversary invitation in 1999, after which Rasmussen re-engaged with ESPN events, touring for the 40th anniversary in 2019 and speaking at Disney and ESPN gatherings. He was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2025.
Official Tributes
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro called Rasmussen “a visionary and an innovator” whose passion and entrepreneurial spirit shaped the company’s culture. Veteran anchor Chris Berman described him as “our George Washington” and praised his optimism.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In those days, we didn’t know if we’d last four weeks, four years, let alone 40-some, but we knew it was special,” — George Grande
- “There was a whole lot of chutzpah and a whole lot of vision, and they’re maxed out on their credit cards. It’s the American dream,” — Bob Ley
