ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen dead at 93: ‘Visionary and an innovator’

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ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen died at the age of 93 at his Florida home Tuesday from the effects of Parkinson’s disease, according to the network.

Rasmussen’s creation changed sports coverage forever and cemented his place as one of the most influential sports television figures ever.

“Bill was a remarkable man — a visionary and an innovator who conceived the idea of a network entirely devoted to sports,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a release. “Quite simply, none of us would be here today if it wasn’t for Bill’s passion and all the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit he put into building ESPN in the late 1970s — key aspects of our company culture that still carry on to this day.”

Sports media would not be what it is today without the Worldwide Leader, and Rasmussen concocted the idea alongside his son, Scott.

The pair reportedly first viewed it as a Connecticut-only idea before believing it could be a national network.

Rasmussen, the former Whalers communications director, maxed out his credit card and used the $9,000 advance he received to acquire “valuable space on a communications satellite,” according to ESPN.

That idea and execution led to the creation of the first around-the-clock sports network on Sept. 7, 1979, and he reportedly served as the company’s first president and CEO.

He exited ESPN after just a few years, per the release, although he set the wheels in motion for “Monday Night Football” to be aired on the network.

“Bill was our George Washington and a good friend,” ESPN legend Chris Berman said in the company’s story. “He was such a grateful person and every sports fan can be grateful for Bill. He wasn’t a glass half-full guy; his glass was always overflowing with optimism. He greeted everyone with a smile and we can all smile knowing Bill’s legacy.”

Rasmussen is survived by his two sons, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren, per ESPN.