September 14, 2012 | Peter Morenus & Matthew Hodgkins '13 (CLAS)

ESPN Founder Describes Evolution of Global Sports Network

Bill Rasmussen discussed what it took to put an idea into practice in creating the world's first 24-hour sports television network during a talk on campus.

Bill Rasmussen, center, co-founder and first president and CEO of ESPN, speaks about the birth of ESPN, leadership and entrepreneurship at the Student Union on Sept. 13, 2012. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Bill Rasmussen, center, co-founder and first president and CEO of ESPN, speaks about the birth of ESPN, leadership and entrepreneurship at the Student Union on Sept. 13, 2012. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Bill Rasmussen, co-founder and first president and CEO of ESPN, speaks about the evolution of ESPN from concept to implementation, at the Student Union Theatre on Sept. 13. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
Bill Rasmussen, co-founder and first president and CEO of ESPN, speaks about the evolution of ESPN from concept to implementation, at the Student Union Theatre on Sept. 13. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

For a video of highlights from Rasmussen’s talk, click here.

Bill Rasmussen spoke about the role of leadership and entrepreneurship in developing the world's first 24-hour sports television network. His talk was hosted by UConn's Leadership Legacy Experience. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
Bill Rasmussen spoke about the role of leadership and entrepreneurship in developing the world’s first 24-hour sports television network. His talk was hosted by UConn’s Leadership Legacy Experience. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
UConn alum Mike Soltys '81 (CLAS), left, ESPN's vice president of communications, engages in discussion with Bill Rasmussen, co-founder and first president and CEO of ESPN. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
UConn alum Mike Soltys ’81 (CLAS), left, ESPN’s vice president of communications, engages in discussion with Bill Rasmussen, co-founder and first president and CEO of ESPN. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)