ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen Passes Away at 93, Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Bill Rasmussen, the founder of ESPN and a pioneer in sports media, has passed away at the age of 93 after battling Parkinson's disease. His innovative vision for a 24-hour sports network revolutionized the industry, and his legacy continues to influence sports broadcasting today. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro and others have paid tribute to Rasmussen, highlighting his optimism and the significant impact he had on sports media. Survived by his family, Rasmussen's contributions will be remembered by sports fans everywhere.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 18, 2026, 23:40 IST

Bill Rasmussen: A Pioneer in Sports Media

Los Angeles [US], August 18: Bill Rasmussen, the visionary behind ESPN and a former sports director for local news, has died at the age of 93 after a prolonged struggle with Parkinson's disease.

The announcement of his passing was made via ESPN's official Instagram account.

“Bill Rasmussen, the founder of ESPN, whose innovative concept of a 24-hour sports cable network transformed the sports media landscape, has passed away at 93. A true game-changer. Thank you for everything, Bill,” the post stated.

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro paid tribute to Rasmussen, describing him as a remarkable individual who envisioned a network solely dedicated to sports.

Pitaro remarked, “Without Bill's passion, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit in the late 1970s, none of us would be here today. These qualities remain integral to our company culture.”

Rasmussen was instrumental in launching continuous sports programming and was pivotal in bringing national attention to ESPN with the coverage of the early rounds of the NCAA men's basketball tournament in 1980, as reported by Variety.

As of 2026, ESPN boasts a workforce of over 5,900 globally, operating eight television networks in the U.S., alongside sports programming on ABC, a mobile app, a direct-to-consumer service, and various radio programs, podcasts, and digital feeds. The network, now under Disney's ownership, with Hearst and the NFL as minority stakeholders, features popular programs like “Monday Night Football,” the talk show “First Take,” and extensive NFL and NBA broadcasts, according to Variety.

Chris Berman, who joined ESPN shortly after its inception in 1979, referred to Rasmussen as “our George Washington and a dear friend.” He added, “Bill was an incredibly grateful person, and every sports fan owes him a debt of gratitude. His optimism was boundless, and he welcomed everyone with a smile. We can all take comfort in knowing Bill's legacy will endure.”

Rasmussen is survived by his two sons, Scott and Glenn, his daughter Lynn, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Lois, who passed away in 2011.