ESPN
Networks and production companies
ESPN is an American basic cable sports broadcasting network and the flagship property of ESPN, LLC, a joint venture of the Walt Disney Company, Hearst Communications (18%) and the National Football League (10%). Founded on September 7, 1979, by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen and Ed Eagan, it is widely considered as the biggest sports network, with its title being the "Worldwide Leader in Sports", with a 20% share interest of sports as a rise from previous years. It rules through extended live rights for the NFL, MLB, NHL and the NBA. With college sports, it has its own streaming service. Wikipedia
Website: www.espn.com
Owned by: The Walt Disney Company
Latest news
- Feb 11: The murder of a rising football star is finally going to trial, almost 20 years in the making. But why did it take so long? On this season of 30 for 30 Podcasts, Murder at the U follows ESPN reporters as they do something that authorities failed to do for decades - investigate who killed Bryan Pata. Now, a suspect has emerged – Pata's own teammate, Rashaun Jones. As Jones' trial commences, this series reveals his connection to the murder of Pata.
- Jul 1, 2025: Audiencelift has a new look, and a new network of premium publishers to help promote your podcast. The tool gets your shows into ESPN, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and others, ensuring trailers are seen and heard by high-value, podcast-curious audiences.
- Aug 9, 2024: Not Just Football with Cam Heyward has moved from ESPN to Vox Media in partnership with SBNation. Vox Media will assume marketing, sales, and distribution for the show, which unpacks the biggest stories from around the NFL.
- Aug 2, 2024: Yahoo is to get access to Disney and Spotify podcast inventory. In a partnership announced this week, Yahoo DSP will have programmatic access to Disney ABC and ESPN podcast inventory. Also, Spotify will make its podcast inventory available via Yahoo for Programmatic Guaranteed campaigns.
- May 6, 2024: Patrick Beverley, a US basketball player, refused to talk to Malinda Adams, an ESPN reporter, because she wasn’t subscribed to his podcast. It’s not the first time, apparently. Last we checked, this wasn’t a good way to get subscriptions.
Data credits: Podnews newsletter, Wikipedia