Bill Rasmussen
Founder of ESPN; legendary entrepreneur; strategic business advisor
Topic Categories:
- Founder of ESPN
- Legendary entrepreneur
- Strategic business advisor
*Fee ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact your Speaker Exchange Agency representative.
It is safe to say that Bill Rasmussen changed the face of sports, and the face of television. His brainstorm for a 24-hour cable sports television station, born out of adversity, has become the Worldwide Leader in Sports, ESPN.
Rasmussen is the man who had the dream, the founder of ESPN.
Jim Miller, the co-author of the recent best-selling book, Those Guys Have All The Fun: Inside the World of ESPN, told John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal that “this is a guy whose idea gave birth to, arguably, the most successful media story of our time.”
Rasmussen founded ESPN in the summer of 1978. He had his innovative brainstorm for an all-sports cable TV network within days of his firing by the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association on Memorial Day weekend. A former radio and television sports broadcaster, Rasmussen had been the Whalers Communications Director but when the Whalers didn’t make the 1978 WHA playoffs, Rasmussen and most of the front office staff were fired.
His idea for an all-sports cable TV network captured his imagination, and he incorporated the fledgling network on July 14, 1978. He had already begun to seek out cable television companies, sponsors, investors and partners. With an idea that was truly ahead of its time, and running out of cash, Rasmussen found one investor who believed in the concept in February, 1979, and by September 7, 1979, ESPN was on the air for the first time, 14 months from Rasmussen’s moment of inspiration.
A life-long entrepreneur and sports fan, Rasmussen’s innovations in advertising, sports and broadcasting are numerous and include not only the creation of ESPN, but also the concept for “Sports Center,” wall-to-wall coverage of NCAA regular- season and “March Madness” college basketball, and coverage of the College World Series. He broke the advertising barrier to cable television by signing Anheuser Busch to the largest cable TV advertising contract ever.
Rasmussen’s entrepreneurial daring, his irrepressible enthusiasm and a dash of good luck gave the world the first 24-hour television network. Once unleashed upon sports fans, ESPN’s impact forever changed the way we watch television.
Rasmussen is the author of the best-selling book, Sports Junkies Rejoice! The Birth of ESPN. Rasmussen tells the inside story of the birth of ESPN in the book, which was recently published in a brand-new paperback edition, and is also available in digital format for most electronic reading devices.
Bill Rasmussen delivers a powerful presentation loaded with wisdom, excitement and humorous anecdotes. He is a gifted raconteur who shares with his audience a wealth of experience accumulated over a half century as a radio / television talent, innovative entrepreneur and corporate CEO. His life-long passion for sports combined with thousands of live television shows, years of play-by-play experience, and entrepreneurial daring led to his idea for a 24/7 round the clock sports network – ESPN – in 1978. His style is relaxed; his message is powerful! Entertaining and inspirational, Rasmussen connects with audiences at corporate events and on campus, and yes, he is ever curious and never complacent.
Rasmussen captivates audiences by taking them back in time to the beginning of the 24-hour sports network that changed history. What turned out to be one of the greatest success stories in the history of sports television started with a little money and a huge dream. This made Bill Rasmussen, the founder of ESPN, a multi-billion-dollar company, one of the most successful businessmen in America. Artfully weaving his story with your event theme, he encourages corporate executives and organization leaders to rethink their situation and take meaningful risks on today’s current issues. Younger members of the audience frequently leap from their seat in a moment of inspiration, ready to implement their own idea. Others greet Bill afterward with tears in their eyes, realizing their own dreams can still come true.
The amazing ESPN Story motivates and inspires audiences in every category.
Comfortable in the board room, the classroom, the press box or the locker room, Bill Rasmussen takes a direct and positive look with you on a wide range of topics. His presentation is clear and professional, his style is relaxed, his message packs a punch! He builds a strong framework with your select group, interacts and engages with each participant, providing a fresh look at critical issues. Your group will experience an environment that inspires them with great ideas.
Want to bring Bill Rasmussen to your next event? Please tell us a little about your event, and we will get back to you shortly!