Tonight at a black tie hall-of-fame affair in New York City, Broadcasting & Cable Magazine will bestow on ESPN its first Iconic Network Award.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro and ESPN’s longest-tenured president George Bodenheimer will accept the honor from the evening’s co-host Hannah Storm. Pitaro commented: “When we launched in 1979, ESPN immediately created an indelible bond with sports fans by matching their passion. Thank you to the thousands of dedicated ESPN employees who, over four decades, have continued to create a non-stop immersive sports experience.”
Here is a look back at ESPN’s magical 42-year history:
ESPN at 40: Chapter 1 Of 4
Front Row is honored to be able to share some bonus content celebrating ESPN’s 40 years, with stories, archival photos and helpful links and snippets of content that live on other ESPN platforms.
ESPN at 40: Chapter 2 Of 4
As ESPN entered its second decade, SportsCenter, with its clever anchors and creative producers, was evolving into a mainstream phenomenon.
ESPN at 40: Chapter 3 of 4
ESPN had arrived during the 1990s and with the start of the 2000s, it was time to branch out further into studio programming. Nothing embodied the innovation and trailblazing of the time as well as Pardon the Interruption.
ESPN at 40: Chapter 4 of 4
Here, in our final chapter, is what ESPN means to those who work here and a sampling of their indelible memories.
2021 in Review
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ESPN’s 2024 Year in Review -
Coming Home: Katie George Returns to Louisville for NCAA Volleyball Championship -
“Debuting the expanded College Football Playoff at Notre Dame is a full circle moment” for ESPN’s game-scheduler, Irish alum -
Unpacking Tensions and Triumphs: Inside the 30 for 30 “The New York Sack Exchange” Premiering Tonight on ESPN