Bill Rasmussen remembered after ESPN founder’s death at 85

Bill Rasmussen, the ESPN founder who helped launch the first 24-hour sports network in 1979, died Aug. 18, 2026, after battling Parkinson’s disease. A new book, audiobook and documentary, “Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN,” captures his origin story and the tributes from ESPN executives, anchors and colleagues.

Why it matters: - Bill Rasmussen helped create ESPN, a network that changed how fans watch sports and helped build the modern sports media industry. - The new “Sports Heaven” project preserves Rasmussen’s story and the early decisions that turned ESPN from a risky idea into a lasting business. - Rasmussen also wanted the project to support the American Parkinson Disease Association in his memory.

What happened: - Bill Rasmussen died Aug. 18, 2026, after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. - He is remembered in “Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN,” a book, audiobook and documentary released in 2026. - The project focuses on ESPN’s launch on Sept. 7, 1979, with Rasmussen and his son, co-founder Scott Rasmussen, behind the network’s first 24-hour sports-only channel. - The documentary was produced by Tenero Productions.

The details: - Rasmussen secured Budweiser as ESPN’s first major sponsor. - He obtained $20 million in Getty Oil funding to pay for satellites. - ESPN also reached a deal with the NCAA to cover basketball. - The project title comes from the first SportsCenter broadcast in Bristol, Connecticut, when anchor Lee Leonard said viewers may feel they had “gone to sports heaven.” - ESPN historian, co-author and producer Mike Soltys said Rasmussen often quoted that line in speeches about ESPN’s founding. - The book and audiobook include tributes from 25 people interviewed for the documentary. - Contributors include Chris Berman, Bob Ley, George Grande, Greg Wyatt, Scott Rasmussen, Chuck Pagado, Mary Walton, George Bodenheimer and Jimmy Pitaro. - Chris Berman wrote the foreword. - Bill Rasmussen’s memory is linked to the APDA donation page at support.apdaparkinson.org. - The book is available on Amazon as “Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN” from SuccessDNA, dated July 28, 2026, at the book listing. - The audiobook version is available on Audible and Amazon, dated April 6, 2026, and includes interviews with 20 voices from the ESPN story at the audiobook listing. - The official documentary trailer is available on YouTube at the trailer. - Tenero Official’s social channel is available on YouTube at the company’s YouTube channel.

Between the lines: - The project frames Rasmussen less as a corporate founder and more as the person whose persistence made ESPN possible. - The quotes from ESPN leaders and early staff position Rasmussen as both a business builder and a likeable public face who could sell the vision. - The emphasis on interviews, archival memories and multiple formats suggests an effort to turn ESPN’s origin story into a legacy product for fans and industry insiders.

What's next: - The book, audiobook and documentary will continue serving as memorials to Rasmussen’s life and to ESPN’s origins. - Donations in Rasmussen’s memory can be directed to the APDA through the link provided by the project team. - The documentary trailer and related media point to continued promotion of the “Sports Heaven” release.

The bottom line: - Bill Rasmussen’s death closes the chapter on one of sports media’s most influential founders, while “Sports Heaven” packages his legacy for a new audience.