ESPN Founder and ‘Sports Heaven’ Author Bill Rasmussen remembered as a Sports Visionary

Sports and broadcasting visionary Bill Rasmussen passed on Aug 18, 2026, and is fondly remembered in his final book, “Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN”.

BRISTOL, CT, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Best known as the “Intentional Optimist”, ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen sadly passed on August 18, 2026, after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. In his final book and documentary project, “Sports Heaven: The Birth ESPN” (July 28, 2026), many Perspectives provide tributes to this sports icon. Bill not only changed an industry and culture, but enhanced the fan experience for the world.

Bill Rasmussen’s new “Sports Heaven” book, audiobook and documentary details the ESPN origin story behind this sports legend’s launch of the first 24x7 sports only network on Sept 7, 1979, via satellite technology with his son and Co-Founder Scott Rasmussen.

Despite many doubters and obstacles, ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen refused to take no for an answer, secured Budweiser as the first major sponsor, got $20 million funding from Getty Oil to pay for the satellites, and did a deal with the NCAA to cover basketball.

The “Sports Heaven” book project title was inspired by the first broadcast of ESPN’s SportsCenter. Live from Bristol, Connecticut, Anchor Lee Leonard’s first words included, "If you’re a fan, what you’ll see in the next minutes, hours and days to follow may convince you you’ve gone to sports heaven.” ESPN Historian, Co-Author and Producer Mike Soltys fondly remembers, “Bill often quoted this line and many others from the first broadcast in his speeches about the founding of ESPN.”

Throughout the just-released “Sports Heaven” book and audiobook, fans will find Perspectives with tributes to Bill Rasmussen from the 25 people interviewed for the documentary, of the same name by Tenero Productions.

Original SportsCenter anchors Chris Berman, Bob Ley, George Grande and Greg Wyatt, and key players praise Bill Rasmussen’s determination, positive personality, and entrepreneurial spirit, including Scott Rasmussen, Chuck Pagado, Mary Walton, and future ESPN Presidents George Bodenheimer and Jimmy Pitaro.

ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen tributes in “Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN” include:

“His ideas, yes, his enthusiasm, his fierce determination and belief in success changed the way we all watch television and the way we watch sports today.”
- Chris Berman, who wrote the “Sports Heaven” Foreword

“When I think about Bill, if I define him with one word, I would say he’s an optimist.”
- Jimmy Pitaro, Current ESPN Chairman

“If you were around Bill Rasmussen for five minutes, you knew he was intelligent, you knew he had great energy, and you knew he was going to fight for whatever he believed in.”
- George Grande, First SportsCenter Anchor

“Bill is the founder, and yet he was this completely accessible human being that was just so nice to everybody. Always had a smile on his face. Seem to always have a solution to anything that might be a problem.”
- Mary Walton, Original Camera Person

“I think one of the reasons it worked, my father and I sparked each other. We had different strengths, different visions, different things we could do.”
- Scott Rasmussen, ESPN Co-Founder and Son

“He provided all the doubters wrong. People said this will never work. And sure enough, not only has it worked, it’s a special, special success story.”
- Josh Krulewitz, Long-time ESPN Executive

“We really were investing in Bill’s idea, and Bill had a very positive personality and was always positive.”
- George Conner, Getty Oil Executive

“Bill was a salesman…That’s said with admiration and respect. He got you to understand what the product was, what was in it for you.”
- Bob Ley, An Original SportsCenter Anchor

“I think people liked Bill and were rooting for him to make this idea happen. And I think that played a big role in making it happen.”
- George Bodenheimer, Long-time ESPN President

“Bill was the quintessential PR-type person to explain what was happening, and he engaged with people so easily.”
- Rosa Gatti, Long-time ESPN PR Executive

Mike Soltys, ESPN Historian, Producer and Co-Author, first worked for Bill Rasmussen as a summer intern for free in 1980. Soltys spent over 43 years working in their Communications Department, and reflects, “People will find the ESPN origin story remarkable, and it was a thrill to bring it to life. Bill Rasmussen’s idea launched thousands of careers and sparked the sports TV industry’s growth for 50 yr.”

“Sports Heaven” Co-Author and Executive Producer, Garrett Z Sutton met Bill while speaking at a Rich Dad conference about asset protection. Together, they came up with this idea to do a book, audiobook, and documentary about Bill’s achievement. Sutton emphasizes, “Bill Rasmussen was an entrepreneur at heart, who truly transformed an industry through pure grit, determination and a positive spirit. It was a true honor to get to know him, and document his inspiring story.”

MEMORIAL GIFTS
Bill Rasmussen asked the “Sports Heaven” team to include his support for the APDA – American Parkinson Disease Association in his “Sports Heaven” film and book. Anyone can make a donation in Bill Rasmussen’s memory here:
https://support.apdaparkinson.org/

WHERE TO GET THE BOOK
Available now on Amazon:
“Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN” (SuccessDNA, July 28, 2026)
https://a.co/d/07PW9nJZ

WHERE TO GET THE AUDIOBOOK
“Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN” Audiobook (April 6, 2026)
Features interviews with 20 different voices behind this ESPN story.
https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Sports-Heaven-Birth-ESPN/dp/B0G7L9KXNT/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTARY TRAILER
Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00dOvEOVGms

Liz Kelly
Goody PR
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In Memory of Bill Rasmussen