safety
ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies from the effects of Parkinson’s disease
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk AP via Scripps News Group , as published by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· August 18, 2026
· 1 min read
Photo: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) · view original
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Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Byline on source page AP via Scripps News Group, as published by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Aug 18, 2026 Indexed here Aug 18, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key points Rasmussen had announced his diagnosis in 2019, which he received in 2014. Bill Rasmussen, a co-founder of ESPN, has died at the age of 93.
Bill Rasmussen, a co-founder of ESPN, has died at the age of 93. He passed away from the effects of Parkinson's disease at his home. Rasmussen had announced his diagnosis in 2019, which he received in 2014. He is credited with conceiving the idea of a network devoted to sports.
Rasmussen's vision and entrepreneurial spirit were instrumental in building ESPN in the late 1970s. His legacy continues to shape the company's culture today. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro acknowledged Rasmussen's significant contribution to the network's success.
Further details about Rasmussen's life and career are available. His death marks the loss of a pioneering figure in the sports broadcasting industry.
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Category: safety Published: August 18, 2026 Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Bill Rasmussen, a co-founder of ESPN, has died at the age of 93. He passed away from the effects of Parkinson's disease at his home. Rasmussen had announced his diagnosis in 2019, which he received…
When was this published? This article was first published on August 18, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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