History of ESPN in Timeline
ESPN is a multiplatform sports media company founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan. It is owned by the Walt Disney Company and Hearst Communications. ESPN provides sports coverage through various platforms.
May 1978: Bill Rasmussen Conceives ESPN
In May 1978, Bill Rasmussen conceived the idea for ESPN after being fired from the New England Whalers.
February 22, 1979: Getty Oil Purchases 85% of ESPN
On February 22, 1979, Getty Oil purchased 85% of ESPN from Bill Rasmussen, providing crucial funding.
September 7, 1979: ESPN Founded
On September 7, 1979, Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan founded ESPN, initially known as the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.
March 1980: ESPN Broadcasts NCAA Basketball Tournament
In March 1980, ESPN first aired coverage of the early rounds of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, contributing to the rise of "March Madness".
1984: ABC Purchases 100% of 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: NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
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 broadcast deals for college football games, allowing each school to negotiate on their own.
1985: Capital Cities Communications Acquires ABC
In 1985, Capital Cities Communications acquired ABC, thus gaining control of ESPN and renaming the parent company to Capital Cities/ABC Inc.
1985: ESPN Shortened Name
In 1985, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network shortened its name to ESPN.
1987: ESPN Secures NFL Contract
In 1987, ESPN secured a contract with the NFL to broadcast eight Sunday night games during the regular season, marking the first broadcasts of Sunday NFL primetime games.
1992: ESPN Radio Launched
In 1992, ESPN launched ESPN Radio, a national sports talk radio network.
October 1, 1993: ESPN2 Launched
On October 1, 1993, ESPN2 was launched, carrying a broad mix of event coverage from conventional sports to extreme sports.
October 10, 1993: ESPN2 Launched
On October 10, 1993, ESPN2 launched on cable systems, reaching 10 million subscribers and becoming the fastest-growing cable channel in the U.S. during the 1990s.
1995: Classic Sports Network Launched
In 1995, Classic Sports Network was launched by Brian Bedol and Steve Greenberg.
1995: ESPN BottomLine Originated
In 1995, the "ESPN BottomLine," a ticker displaying sports news and scores during all programming, originated on ESPN2.
November 1, 1996: ESPNews Launched
On November 1, 1996, ESPNews, a subscription television network, was launched. Its initial focus was sports news, highlights, and press conferences.
1996: Walt Disney Company Acquires Capital Cities/ABC
In 1996, the Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC Inc. and rebranded it as Walt Disney Television.
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 Launched
In July 2001, ESPN Deportes was launched as a Spanish simulcast of certain Major League Baseball telecasts from ESPN.
2001: ESPN Original Entertainment Formed
In 2001, ESPN Original Entertainment, a programming division, was formed.
March 30, 2003: ESPNHD Launched
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 game.
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
In 2004, ESPN last carried national-televised NHL games, prior to agreeing to a new contract in March 2021.
March 4, 2005: ESPNU Launched
On March 4, 2005, ESPNU, a subscription television network focusing on college athletics, was launched.
2005: ESPN MVP (Mobile ESPN) Attempt
In 2005, ESPN attempted to operate a mobile virtual network operator called ESPN MVP (initially known as Mobile ESPN) with exclusive mobile content.
2005: ESPN3 Launched
In 2005, ESPN3, an online streaming service providing live streams and replays of global sports events, was launched as a separate website.
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 that network airing 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, a programming division.
2009: 30 for 30 Series Started Airing
The 30 for 30 documentary series started airing in 2009.
August 2010: ESPNews adds ESPN shows
In August 2010, ESPNews began incorporating encores of ESPN's sports debate and entertainment shows, as well as video simulcasts of ESPN Radio shows.
September 27, 2010: Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn in HD
On September 27, 2010, "Pardon the Interruption" and "Around the Horn" began airing in HD after the relocation of their production into the facility housing the Washington, D.C., bureau for ABC News.
October 25, 2010: WatchESPN Launched
On October 25, 2010, WatchESPN was originally launched as ESPN Networks, a streaming service that provided a live stream of ESPN exclusive to Time Warner Cable subscribers.
August 26, 2011: Longhorn Network Launched
On August 26, 2011, the Longhorn Network, focusing on events from the Texas Longhorns varsity sports teams of the University of Texas at Austin, 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: ESPN 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 to a letterboxed format.
2013: Highlight Express Cancellation
In 2013, Highlight Express was cancelled, leading ESPNews to consist mainly of rebroadcasts of SportsCenter.
August 14, 2014: SEC Network Launched
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 terminated approximately 100 employees and implemented cost-cutting measures, including moving ESPNU's studio operations and modifying the Baseball Tonight program.
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 Oscar
In 2017, the 30 for 30 film O.J.: Made in America won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, the first 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+ Streaming Service Launched
On April 12, 2018, ESPN launched ESPN+, a supplemental over-the-top streaming service.
April 2018: ESPN+ Launched
In April 2018, ESPN+ was launched as an add-on subscription service for $4.99 per month.
March 2019: Daily Wager Program Announced
In March 2019, ESPN announced a new betting-themed daily program, Daily Wager, hosted by Doug Kezirian.
June 1, 2019: WatchESPN Discontinued
On June 1, 2019, WatchESPN was discontinued with its full merger into the ESPN app.
August 22, 2019: ACC Network Launched
On August 22, 2019, the ACC Network, a subscription television network focusing on Atlantic Coast Conference sporting events, was 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 ESPN sent an internal memo to employees instructing them to avoid any political discussions regarding China and Hong Kong in the aftermath of a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey.
2019: UFC and ESPN Sign Contract
In 2019, Ultimate Fighting Championship signed a five-year contract with ESPN and ESPN+ for broadcasting UFC events.
March 2021: ESPN and ABC Agreement to Televise NHL Games
In March 2021, ESPN and ABC agreed to a seven-year contract to televise NHL games, with some games airing on ESPN+ and Hulu.
2021: Walt Disney Announces Increased Focus on Online Sports Betting
In 2021, Walt Disney CEO Bob Chapek indicated that the company would increase its presence in online sports betting due to the impact of COVID-19.
December 31, 2021: ESPN Classic Discontinued
On December 31, 2021, ESPN Classic was discontinued.
August 8, 2023: ESPN and Penn Entertainment Announce Sportsbook Deal
On August 8, 2023, ESPN and Penn Entertainment announced a deal to rebrand Penn's existing Barstool Sportsbook as ESPN Bet in late-2023.
November 2023: ESPN Enters Sports Betting Scene
In November 2023, ESPN entered the sports betting scene with plans to launch their sportsbook app "ESPN Bet" on November 14. In partnership with Penn Entertainment, ESPN Bet began in 17 states.
December 2023: ESPN Available to Approximately 70 Million Households
As of December 2023, ESPN was available to 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, replacing the Noon ET airing of SportsCenter and This Just In with Max Kellerman.
February 6, 2024: ESPN Announces Joint Venture for Venu Sports
On February 6, 2024, ESPN announced a joint venture with Fox Sports and TNT Sports to create Venu Sports, including their main linear sports channels.
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: ESPN Apologizes for Sports Emmy Awards Submissions
In 2024, ESPN apologized for submitting fake names for Sports Emmy award consideration over many years, and returned 37 trophies to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
May 2025: ESPN Announces Launch of Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Product
In May 2025, ESPN announced it would officially launch an ESPN-branded direct-to-consumer product later that year, incorporating ESPN's main channels and content from ESPN+.
August 5, 2025: ESPN Agreement to Acquire NFL Media Division
On August 5, 2025, ESPN announced an agreement to acquire the NFL's NFL Media division, including NFL Network and NFL RedZone, pending regulatory approval, with the NFL taking a 10% equity stake in ESPN.
August 6, 2025: ESPN Agrees to Stream WWE Live Events
On August 6, 2025, ESPN announced a five-year deal with WWE to stream WWE live premium events on the upcoming ESPN streaming service, starting with Wrestlepalooza in September 2025.
September 2025: ESPN to Start Streaming WWE Events
Beginning in September 2025, ESPN will start streaming WWE live premium events on its upcoming streaming service, with the first event being Wrestlepalooza.
2026: Potential Implementation of NFL Media Acquisition Changes
Even if regulatory approval is received, the full changes resulting from ESPN's acquisition of NFL Media division, including the integration of NFL Network and RedZone into the ESPN streaming service, may not take effect until at least the 2026 NFL season.
2036: ACC Network Agreement Extension
In 2036, the agreement between the ACC and ESPN Inc. for the ACC Network is set to extend through the 2036-37 academic term.
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