History of ESPN in Timeline
ESPN is an American cable sports broadcasting network founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan. It is a joint venture primarily owned by the Walt Disney Company and Hearst Communications, with a minority stake held by the National Football League. As the flagship property of ESPN Inc., it's a leading source for sports news, analysis, and live event coverage.
February 22, 1979: Getty Oil Purchases Majority Stake
On February 22, 1979, Getty Oil purchased 85% of ESPN from Bill Rasmussen.
September 7, 1979: ESPN Founded
On September 7, 1979, ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) was founded by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan.
March 1980: ESPN Broadcasts NCAA Basketball Tournament
In March 1980, ESPN broadcasted the early rounds of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament for the first time, contributing to the rise of "March Madness".
1984: ABC Acquires ESPN
In 1984, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) purchased 100% of ESPN from the Rasmussens and Getty Oil, increasing ESPN's ability to compete for major sports contracts.
1984: Supreme Court Ruling on NCAA Contracts
In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma that the NCAA could no longer monopolize college football broadcast contracts, allowing ESPN to broadcast numerous NCAA games.
1985: Capital Cities Acquires ABC and ESPN
In 1985, Capital Cities Communications acquired ABC, and consequently, control of ESPN.
1985: ESPN Abandons Long Name
In 1985, Entertainment and Sports Programming Network abandoned its full name and became simply ESPN.
1987: ESPN Secures NFL Contract
In 1987, ESPN secured a contract with the NFL to broadcast eight games on Sunday nights, marking the first broadcasts of Sunday NFL primetime games and impacting viewership of daytime games on major networks.
1992: ESPN Radio Launched
In 1992, ESPN Radio, a national sports talk radio network, was launched.
October 1, 1993: ESPN2 Launched
ESPN2 was launched on October 1, 1993, carrying a mix of conventional and extreme sports coverage.
October 10, 1993: ESPN2 Launched
On October 10, 1993, ESPN2 launched, reaching 10 million subscribers with a lineup of niche sports and overflow programming from ESPN.
1995: Classic Sports Network Launch
In 1995, Classic Sports Network was launched by Brian Bedol and Steve Greenberg.
1995: ESPN BottomLine Originated on ESPN2
In 1995, the "ESPN BottomLine," a ticker displaying sports news and scores, originated on ESPN2.
November 1, 1996: ESPNews Launch
On November 1, 1996, ESPNews, a subscription television network, was launched. It originally focused on sports news, highlights, and press conferences.
1996: Disney Acquires Capital Cities/ABC
In 1996, The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC Inc., which was re-branded as Walt Disney Television, giving Disney control of ESPN.
1997: ESPN Acquires Classic Sports Network
In 1997, ESPN Inc. purchased Classic Sports Network for $175 million.
1998: Classic Sports Network Rebranded as ESPN Classic
In 1998, Classic Sports Network was rebranded as "ESPN Classic".
July 2001: ESPN Deportes Launch
In July 2001, ESPN Deportes, a Spanish-language subscription television network, was launched to provide Spanish simulcasts of certain Major League Baseball telecasts from ESPN.
2001: ESPN Original Entertainment Formed
In 2001, ESPN Original Entertainment, a programming division, was formed, which was later restructured into ESPN Films.
March 30, 2003: ESPNHD Launch
On March 30, 2003, ESPN launched its high definition simulcast feed, originally branded as ESPNHD, with an Opening Day broadcast of the Texas Rangers and Anaheim Angels.
January 2004: ESPN Deportes Becomes 24-Hour Channel
In January 2004, ESPN Deportes transitioned into a 24-hour sports channel.
2004: ESPN Last Carried National-Televised NHL Games
ESPN last carried national-televised NHL games in 2004, prior to their return in 2021.
March 4, 2005: ESPNU Launch
On March 4, 2005, ESPNU, a subscription television network focusing on college athletics, was launched.
2005: Mobile ESPN Attempt
In 2005, ESPN MVP (initially known as Mobile ESPN) attempted to operate a mobile virtual network operator with exclusive mobile content.
September 2, 2006: ESPN on ABC Integration
Since September 2, 2006, ESPN has been integrated with the sports division of ABC, with sports events televised on ABC under the banner ESPN on ABC.
March 2008: ESPN Films Created
In March 2008, ESPN Films was created as a restructuring of ESPN Original Entertainment.
2009: 30 for 30 Series Premieres
In 2009, 30 for 30, a documentary series produced by ESPN Films, started airing.
August 2010: ESPNews Adds ESPN Shows
In August 2010, ESPNews began incorporating encores of ESPN's sports debate and entertainment shows, along with video simulcasts of ESPN Radio shows.
September 27, 2010: "Pardon the Interruption" and Around the Horn HD Broadcasts Begin
On September 27, 2010, "Pardon the Interruption" and Around the Horn began airing in HD, with the relocation of the production of both shows into the facility housing the Washington, D.C., bureau for ABC News.
October 25, 2010: WatchESPN Launch
On October 25, 2010, WatchESPN was launched as ESPN Networks, a streaming service providing a live stream of ESPN exclusive to Time Warner Cable subscribers.
August 26, 2011: Longhorn Network Launch
On August 26, 2011, the Longhorn Network, a subscription television network focusing on events from the Texas Longhorns varsity sports teams, was launched.
August 31, 2011: ESPN3 Incorporated into WatchESPN
On August 31, 2011, ESPN3, an online streaming service, was incorporated into the WatchESPN platform.
2011: Peak Household Reach
In 2011, ESPN reached its peak of 100 million households in the United States.
2011: ESPNHD Downplays Logo
In 2011, ESPNHD began to downplay its distinct promotional logo in preparation for the conversion of its standard definition feed from a 4:3 full-screen to a letterboxed format.
2013: Highlight Express Cancellation
In 2013, Highlight Express was cancelled, leading ESPNews to primarily broadcast rebroadcasts of SportsCenter.
August 14, 2014: SEC Network Launch
On August 14, 2014, the SEC Network, a subscription television network focusing on Southeastern Conference sporting events, was launched as a joint venture between the conference and ESPN Inc.
April 26, 2017: ESPN Layoffs and Cost-Cutting Measures
On April 26, 2017, ESPN laid off approximately 100 employees, including analysts and journalists, and implemented other cost-cutting measures, such as moving ESPNU operations to Bristol and reducing the Baseball Tonight show.
December 18, 2017: John Skipper Resigns
On December 18, 2017, John Skipper resigned from his position as chairman of ESPN.
2017: O.J.: Made in America Wins Academy Award
In 2017, the 30 for 30 film "O.J.: Made in America" won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, marking the first such Oscar for ESPN.
March 5, 2018: James Pitaro Appointed Chairman
On March 5, 2018, James Pitaro became the chairman of ESPN.
April 12, 2018: ESPN+ Launched
On April 12, 2018, ESPN launched ESPN+, a supplemental over-the-top streaming service.
April 2018: ESPN+ Launch
In April 2018, ESPN+ was launched as an add-on subscription service for $4.99 per month.
March 2019: Daily Wager Premieres
In March 2019, ESPN announced the new betting-themed daily program, Daily Wager, was hosted by Doug Kezirian.
June 30, 2019: WatchESPN Discontinued
On June 30, 2019, WatchESPN was discontinued, with the service's full merger into the ESPN app.
August 22, 2019: ACC Network Launch
On August 22, 2019, the ACC Network, a subscription television network focusing on Atlantic Coast Conference sporting events, launched as a joint venture of network operator ESPN Inc. and the ACC.
October 8, 2019: ESPN Memo on Political Discussions
On October 8, 2019, Deadspin reported that an internal memo was sent to ESPN employees instructing them to avoid any political discussions regarding the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong after a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey.
2019: UFC Signs Contract with ESPN
In 2019, Ultimate Fighting Championship signed a five-year contract with ESPN, for events on ESPN and ESPN+.
March 2021: ESPN and ABC Agree to NHL Broadcast Deal
In March 2021, ESPN and ABC agreed to a seven-year contract to televise NHL games, with some airing on ESPN+ and Hulu, marking ESPN's return to national NHL broadcasts since 2004.
2021: Disney to Increase Presence in Online Sports Betting
In 2021, Walt Disney CEO Bob Chapek indicated that the company would increase its presence in online sports betting, including partnerships with third parties, to help offset the impact of COVID-19.
December 31, 2021: ESPN Classic Discontinued
On December 31, 2021, ESPN Classic, a subscription television network, was discontinued.
August 8, 2023: ESPN and Penn Entertainment Announce Branding Deal
On August 8, 2023, ESPN and Penn Entertainment announced a deal to rebrand Penn's Barstool Sportsbook as ESPN Bet.
November 2023: ESPN Enters Sports Betting Scene
In November 2023, ESPN moved into the sports betting scene with plans to launch their sportsbook app "ESPN Bet" on November 14.
December 2023: ESPN Reach Declines
As of December 2023, ESPN reached approximately 70 million pay television households in the United States.
2023: The Pat McAfee Show Moves to ESPN
In 2023, The Pat McAfee Show moved to ESPN as part of a five-year, $85 million deal, replacing the Noon ET airing of SportsCenter and This Just In with Max Kellerman.
February 6, 2024: ESPN Announces Venu Sports Joint Venture
On February 6, 2024, ESPN announced a joint venture with Fox Sports and TNT Sports to create Venu Sports, including their linear sports channels and associated media rights.
June 30, 2024: Longhorn Network Discontinued
On June 30, 2024, the Longhorn Network was discontinued, a day before the Longhorns' move to the Southeastern Conference.
2024: Sports Emmy Awards Controversy
In 2024, ESPN apologized for submitting fake names for Sports Emmy award consideration over many years, and returned 37 trophies that had been awarded to ineligible recipients to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
May 2025: ESPN to Launch ESPN-Branded Direct-to-Consumer Product
In May 2025, ESPN announced the official launch of an ESPN-branded direct-to-consumer product later that year, integrating main channels and ESPN+ content, and becoming the main streaming offering for ESPN subscribers.
August 5, 2025: ESPN to Acquire NFL Media Division
On August 5, 2025, ESPN announced an agreement to acquire the NFL's NFL Media division, pending regulatory approval, including NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and the league's official fantasy football service, with the NFL taking a 10% equity stake in ESPN.
August 6, 2025: ESPN Agrees to Deal with WWE
On August 6, 2025, ESPN announced a five-year deal with WWE to stream WWE live premium events on the forthcoming ESPN streaming service, and simulcast select events on linear channels.
September 2025: ESPN and WWE Launch Streaming Events
In September 2025, ESPN and WWE are set to launch streaming live premium events, starting with Wrestlepalooza, as part of their five-year deal.
November 6, 2025: ESPN Announces Early Termination of Penn Entertainment Agreement and Contract with DraftKings
On November 6, 2025, ESPN announced a mutual early termination of the agreement with Penn Entertainment and a new contract awarded to DraftKings commencing December 1, 2025.
December 1, 2025: DraftKings Contract Commences
The DraftKings contract commences on December 1, 2025.
January 2026: Regulatory Approval Granted for NFL Media Acquisition
In January 2026, regulatory approval was granted for ESPN's acquisition of NFL Media, with the deal closing on January 31st.
2036: ACC Agreement Extension
In 2036, the agreement extending to the 2036-37 academic term will occur between ESPN Inc. and the ACC.
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