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ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen Dies at 93
The former sportscaster borrowed $9,000 to launch ESPN, which drew a $15 million investment from Getty Oil and later became a cable giant.
- Bill Rasmussen, the visionary entrepreneur who launched ESPN as the world's first 24-hour sports network in 1979, died Tuesday at age 93 from Parkinson's disease complications at his Florida home.
- After being fired from the New England Whalers in 1978, Rasmussen maxed out his credit card for a $9,000 advance to secure satellite space, fueling the launch of the Entertainment and Sports Programming network.
- Initial investors doubted the 24-hour sports concept, but Rasmussen secured essential backing from Getty Oil and Anheuser-Busch. These partnerships provided capital that helped establish the network, which now employs more than 5,900 people worldwide.
- ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised Rasmussen's "passion and all the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit" that built company culture. Longtime personality Chris Berman called him "the George Washington of ESPN," honoring his enduring optimism and legacy.
- Following his departure from ESPN in 1980, Rasmussen became a motivational speaker and author, encouraging budding entrepreneurs to pursue their ideas. He is survived by sons Scott and Glenn, daughter Lynn, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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Associated Press News+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease
Bill Rasmussen, who co-founded cable TV sports giant ESPN, has died at the age of 93. ESPN historian Mike Soltys says Rasmussen died Tuesday at his Florida home from the effects of Parkinson’s disease.
·New York, United States
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Bill Rasmussen, ESPN’s Founder, Dies at 93
Bill Rasmussen, a former local-news sports director who parlayed an interest in the nascent business of satellite television into the launch of the sports-media giant known as ESPN, has died after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. The entrepreneur and founder was 93 years old. Rasmussen in 1978 was idling in traffic on Connecticut’s Interstate 84 after acquiring a satellite transponder from RCA, and decided to launch a new network devoted onl…
·Los Angeles, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources25
Leaning Left6Leaning Right2Center17Last UpdatedBias Distribution68% Center
Bias Distribution
- 68% of the sources are Center
68% Center
L 24%
C 68%
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