Bill Rasmussen, ESPN Co-Founder and Visionary, Dies at 93
Bill Rasmussen, the visionary co-founder of ESPN, has passed away at the age of 93 due to complications from Parkinson's disease. Rasmussen, who was fired from his previous job, used his credit card and an advance to secure satellite space…
Charlotte, NC, August 18, 2026 —
Bill Rasmussen, the innovative co-founder of ESPN, died Tuesday at the age of 93. His passing was attributed to complications stemming from Parkinson’s disease.
Rasmussen’s journey to creating the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) was marked by significant entrepreneurial drive. After being dismissed from a previous role, he leveraged his personal credit card and an advance payment to secure essential satellite space. This bold move paved the way for the launch of ESPN in 1979.
Under his and his son Scott’s leadership, ESPN evolved into what is widely recognized as the “Worldwide Leader in Sports.” The network quickly became a dominant force in sports broadcasting, fundamentally changing how sports were consumed by a global audience.
Rasmussen’s foundational vision and deep-seated passion for sports were critical elements in the establishment of the network. ESPN continues to be a prominent and influential entity in the realm of sports media.
Story summarized from the original created by Akim Powell on www.wbtv.com, see more information here.
