Bill Rasmussen, ESPN Co-Founder, Dies at 93
"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," chairman Jimmy Pitaro says The post Bill Rasmussen, ESPN Co-Founder, Dies at 93 appeared first on TheWrap .
Bill Rasmussen, co-founder of ESPN, has passed away at the age of 93, according to a statement released by the sports network on Tuesday. The cause of death was attributed to the effects of Parkinson's Disease. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised Rasmussen, describing him as "a remarkable man – a visionary and an innovator" who conceived the idea of a network entirely devoted to sports.
Without Rasmussen's passion and hard work, ESPN would not exist today, according to Pitaro. Pitaro added that Rasmussen's entrepreneurial spirit was a key aspect of ESPN's company culture, which continues to this day.
Pitaro reminisced about a personal encounter with Rasmussen, recalling how he caught the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park in Boston to celebrate ESPN's 40th anniversary. He expressed that his greatest thrill since joining ESPN was getting to know Rasmussen on a personal level. ESPN's legacy, Pitaro said, will always be a part of the company, thanks to Rasmussen's contributions.
Rasmussen co-founded ESPN in 1978 alongside his son, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan. He served as the network's first president and CEO when it launched in September 1979.
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