Bill Rasmussen, ESPN Founder, Dies at 93

Bill Rasmussen, the visionary who co-founded ESPN and transformed sports broadcasting, died Tuesday at his home in Florida. He was 93.

Rasmussen died from the effects of Parkinson’s disease, according to ESPN. He publicly revealed his diagnosis in 2019.

Founder of ESPN

Rasmussen and his son Scott developed the idea for a television network devoted entirely to sports after Rasmussen lost his job with the New England Whalers.

ESPN launched on September 7, 1979, becoming the first television network to broadcast sports around the clock.

A Sports Broadcasting Pioneer

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro remembered Rasmussen as a visionary and innovator whose passion and entrepreneurial spirit helped build the company.

Rasmussen was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2025 for his lasting influence on sports television.