'Sports Heaven' Shows How ESPN Was Born

This episode of 'All Of It' on WNYC explores the founding of ESPN through the lens of the new documentary and audiobook 'Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN,' premiering April 6th and 7th, 2026. Host David First is joined by Mike Soltis, ESPN’s historian and former VP of Communications, and director Greg DeHart, who delve into the improbable journey of Bill Rasmussen and his son Scott, who launched the world’s first 24-hour sports cable network in just 14 months. Before ESPN, sports coverage on TV was sparse—limited to occasional broadcasts and two-minute local news segments. The Rasmussens’ vision, born from a regional Connecticut sports feed idea and transformed by satellite technology, defied skepticism and logistical chaos. Despite being fired from the Hartford Whalers, Bill Rasmussen’s relentless 'intentional optimism' drove the team to launch on September 7, 1979, under immense pressure, with a makeshift studio and last-minute technical fixes. The episode highlights the network’s first broadcast—SportsCenter and a softball World Series—while also confronting the bittersweet aftermath: the founders were pushed out by Getty Oil investors within a year, leading to a lasting estrangement between father and son. The documentary captures both the triumph and the personal cost of building a media empire, while also reflecting on ESPN’s evolution into a dominant force in sports media, now navigating streaming, social media, and sports betting. The episode closes with a reflection on legacy, resilience, and the enduring impact of a single bold idea.