{
  "id": 1759535,
  "title": "Bill Rasmussen family and net worth in focus after his death: All on ESPN founder wife and children",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/bill-rasmussen-family-and-net-worth-in-focus-after-his-death-all-on",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T17:18:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times - World News",
    "slug": "hindustan-times-world-news",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/bill-rasmussen-family-and-net-worth-in-focus-after-his-death-all-on-espn-founder-wife-and-children-101787072691786.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bill Rasmussen, co-founder of ESPN, died at the age of 93 due to complications from Parkinson's disease. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised Rasmussen, calling him a \"remarkable man\" and a \"visionary and innovator\" who conceived the idea of a network solely dedicated to sports. Rasmussen established ESPN in 1979, along with his son Scott, after being dismissed from his position as communications director for the New England Whalers in the late 1970s. He secured crucial space on a communications satellite using his $9,000 advance and credit card limit. ESPN was initially financed by Getty Oil and gained significant traction with Monday Night Football and a record-breaking cable TV advertising contract with Anheuser Busch. Rasmussen was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife Lois in 2011 and several other family members. Rasmussen's net worth was estimated at $600 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.",
  "summary": "ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen passed away at 93, leaving behind a legacy as the 'Father of Cable Sports.'",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/espn-co-founder-bill-rasmussen-dies-at-93-from-the-effects-of",
        "published": "2026-08-18T16:33:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/espn-co-founder-bill-rasmussen-dies-at-93-from-the-effects-of-1753611",
        "published": "2026-08-18T16:42:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Newsweek",
        "title": "ESPN Founder Dies After Battle With Parkinson's Disease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/espn-founder-dies-after-battle-with-parkinsons-disease",
        "published": "2026-08-18T17:16:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "‘First Take’ tribute to Bill Rasmussen abruptly interrupted by ‘Pat McAfee Show’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/first-take-tribute-to-bill-rasmussen-abruptly-interrupted-by-pat",
        "published": "2026-08-18T18:32:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from Parkinson’s disease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/espn-founder-bill-rasmussen-dies-at-93-from-parkinsons-disease",
        "published": "2026-08-18T18:48:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}