ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease

Land O' Lakes, Fla. (AP) — Bill Rasmussen, co-founder of ESPN in 1979, passed away at the age of 93 on Tuesday due to Parkinson's disease. ESPN historian Mike Soltys confirmed that Rasmussen had been diagnosed with the degenerative disease in 2014. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised Rasmussen, calling him a visionary and innovator who conceived the idea of a 24-hour sports network.

Rasmussen and his son Scott initially faced opposition from cable operators and Getty Oil, who owned 85% of the network at the time of their departure in 1980. Getty's acquisition of ESPN by ABC in 1984 ended the Rasmussens' association with the company. Rasmussen, born in Chicago, earned degrees from DePauw University and Rutgers University, and served in the Air Force.

He started an advertising services business before working in radio and television as a broadcaster in the 1960s. Rasmussen was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2025 and was survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, seven grandchildren, one great-grandson, and one great-granddaughter.