ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen has died at the age of 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease, the sports network confirmed on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Rasmussen, who co-founded ESPN with his son Scott, developed the idea for a 24-hour television network dedicated entirely to sports in the late 1970s. The network officially launched on September 7, 1979, initially reaching 1.4 million homes.
What began as an ambitious cable television project grew into one of the world’s most influential sports media organisations, fundamentally changing how sports are broadcast and consumed.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro described Rasmussen as a visionary and innovator whose passion and entrepreneurial spirit helped build the foundation of the company.
Rasmussen’s contribution to sports broadcasting extended beyond the creation of ESPN, as his vision helped establish the model for around-the-clock sports coverage that has since become a global industry standard.
His death marks the end of an era for one of the most influential figures in modern sports media.
