Bill Rasmussen
#361,416 Most Popular
About
Broadcaster and entrepreneur best known for co-founding sports network ESPN in 1978. He served as ESPN's first president and CEO. USA Today called him "The Father of Sports Television." He died at the age of 93 from the effects of Parkinson's Disease.
Before fame
He played baseball as a teenager and was invited to a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Instead, he attended DePauw University in Indiana and earned a Bachelor's Degree in economics.
Trivia
He was a supply officer in the US Air Force before being discharged from the military in the year 1956. He left an active role at ESPN in the year 1980. He then served as a consultant to media companies and sports rights holders.
Family life
He and his wife Lois had three children and seven grandchildren. His son Scott was one of the co-founders of ESPN.
Associated with
He was an ambassador for Parkinson's patients through groups such as The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
