The Actual News

Stay informed without the news wearing you out.

ESPN Founder Dies After Battle With Parkinson's Disease

ESPN Founder Dies After Battle With Parkinson's Disease

Summary

Bill Rasmussen, who co-founded ESPN, died at 93 after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease. He and his son created the idea for a 24-hour sports network in the 1970s, and ESPN officially started in 1979.

Key Facts

  • Bill Rasmussen died at his home in Florida at age 93.
  • He had Parkinson’s disease for many years.
  • Rasmussen and his son Scott came up with the idea for ESPN in the 1970s.
  • ESPN launched on September 7, 1979, as the first all-sports TV network.
  • Bill was the first president and CEO of ESPN.
  • He left ESPN a few years after it started but stayed involved in sports.
  • ESPN leaders and staff praised him as an important visionary for the company.
  • Rasmussen wrote a book called "Sports Junkies Rejoice: The Birth of ESPN."
Read the Full Article

This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.

Monday's biggest stories, one calm email.