ESPN: The Uncensored History
by By Freeman, Michael
Category: Performing Arts , Television , General

Since its first broadcast in 1979, ESPN has grown from one man's pipe dream to a media giant, ruling the sports kingdom with in-depth news coverage, sparkling reporting, and attitude - lots of attitude. Founder Bill Rasmussen believed in his idea of a 24-hour all-sports cable channel, but few could have predicted the network would become as important to sports as the athletes themselves.In ESPN, The Uncensored History, author and New York Times sportswriter Michael Freeman takes you from the days when Rasmussen chose Bristol, Connecticut, as home base because property was so cheap to the network's expansion with ESPN2, ESPN Classic, and ESPNews, as well as ESPN, The Magazine. Along the way, Freeman provides revealing portraits of the sports channel's most compelling personalities and delves into its not-so-public aspects: the real story of its founding, allegations of sexual harassment, charges of racial discrimination, bitter partings with high-profile personnel. Using information gleaned from internal documents, police and court records; and interviews with network employees, on-air talent, producers, and executives, Freeman uncovers the news ESPN doesn't want reported.