Bill Rasmussen, the founder of ESPN, passed away at the age of 93 on Tuesday due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro released a statement honoring Rasmussen, describing him as a visionary who created a network dedicated solely to sports. Pitaro noted that Rasmussen's contributions laid the foundation for ESPN's culture and success since its inception in the late 1970s.
Rasmussen's son, Scott, shared memories of their collaboration during the early days of ESPN, recalling a pivotal car ride in 1978 when the idea for a sports-focused cable network was conceived. ESPN officially launched on September 7, 1979, with the first broadcast of SportsCenter.
ESPN veteran Chris Berman remarked on Rasmussen's impact, comparing him to George Washington and highlighting his optimistic nature. In addition to his role at ESPN, Rasmussen became an advocate for Parkinson’s disease awareness through organizations such as the American Parkinson Disease Association and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. ESPN has suggested that donations in his memory be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association.