1978

William and Scott Rasmussen founded ESPN.

1979

Getty Oil invests in ESPN, led by Stuart Evey, vice president, diversified operations.  In 1984, Getty

merges with Texaco. 

1984

ABC, led by Herbert Granath, president, ABC video enterprises, purchases 15% of ESPN in January and the remaining 85 percent in April. In September, ABC sells a 20 percent interest in ESPN to Nabisco Brands, represented by Don Ohlmeyer of Ohlmeyer Communications and John Martin of Nabisco.

1986

Capital Cities, led by CEO Thomas Murphy and President Daniel Burke, merges with ABC, acquiring an 80 percent interest in ESPN.

1988

The Hearst Corporation, represented by Frank Bennack and Ray Joslin, purchases RJR Nabisco’s 20 percent interest in ESPN.

1996

The Walt Disney Company, under CEO Michael Eisner, acquires Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., including 80 percent of ESPN.  Robert Iger later becomes President and COO of TWDC and continues to oversee ESPN.