ESPN Co-Founder Bill Rasmussen Dies Aged 93

ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen died at his home in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, on Tuesday, 18 August 2026. He was 93.

Rasmussen died from complications linked to Parkinson’s disease. He was diagnosed in 2014 and disclosed his diagnosis publicly in 2019.

Founding ESPN

Rasmussen co-founded ESPN with his son, Scott Rasmussen.

The network launched on 7 September 1979 as the world’s first 24-hour television network dedicated to sport.

The idea followed Rasmussen’s dismissal as public relations director for the New England Whalers hockey team. He helped fund the early network with a $9,000 credit card advance.

Changing Sports Broadcasting

ESPN introduced continuous sports programming and gave audiences access to sporting coverage throughout the day.

The network also televised the early rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

Rasmussen did not own ESPN at the time of his death. The network is owned by The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Communications.

Recognition for His Contribution

Rasmussen was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2025.

He was also named among the 100 most important people in American sporting history.

His work helped establish the round-the-clock sports television format ESPN became known for after its 1979 launch.

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