Bill Rasmussen

A life-long entrepreneur and sports fan, Bill Rasmussen’s innovations in advertising, sports, and broadcasting are extensive. Notably, he founded ESPN in the summer of 1978, creating the world's first 24-hour, 7-days-a-week sports television network. This network is home to "SportsCenter," the program he also conceptualized, which has become a staple in sports broadcasting. His initiatives include pioneering wall-to-wall coverage of NCAA men’s and women’s regular-season and tournament college basketball, as well as coverage of the College World Series.

A United States Air Force veteran, Rasmussen received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from DePauw University and his MBA from Rutgers University. His entrepreneurial spirit and innovative concepts have earned him accolades such as being named "The Father of Cable Sports" by USA Today and being listed as one of the "40 for the Ages" by Sports Illustrated in 1994. In 2016, he was also inducted into the Cynopsis Sports Hall of Fame, further cementing his legacy in sports broadcasting.

Rasmussen continues to be a popular guest on the speaking circuit, discussing American entrepreneurship, innovation, and the founding of ESPN. He has made recent media appearances on radio shows like Sports Byline USA with Ron Barr and The Dennis Miller Show, as well as television appearances on FOX News Channel’s Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. A captivating speaker, he connects with audiences through presentations enriched with wisdom, excitement, and humorous anecdotes at various events. Additionally, Rasmussen is bringing awareness to Parkinson's Disease, encouraging those affected by it and advocating for research towards a cure.