{"id":2646960,"date":"2026-08-19T12:50:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T16:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-espn-botches-on-air-tribute-to-networks-founder-on-the-day-of-his-death\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T12:55:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T16:55:09","slug":"watch-espn-botches-on-air-tribute-to-networks-founder-on-the-day-of-his-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-espn-botches-on-air-tribute-to-networks-founder-on-the-day-of-his-death\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch: ESPN Botches On-Air Tribute to Network&#8217;s Founder on the Day of His Death"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwatch-espn-botches-on-air-tribute-to-networks-founder-on-the-day-of-his-death%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2646960&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses ESPN&#8217;s recent misstep in honoring its founder, Bill Rasmussen, who passed away at age 93 from Parkinson\u2019s disease. Despite Rasmussen\u2019s pivotal role in creating the 24-hour sports cable network, ESPN\u2019s tribute was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/parents-of-teen-girl-killed-in-lapd-shooting-at-burlington-coat-factory-break-their-silence\/\" title=\"Parents of teen girl killed in LAPD shooting at Burlington Coat Factory break their silence\">unexpectedly cut short<\/a> during a live broadcast, replaced by a different show hosted by Pat mcafee.This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-hannity-goes-off-on-espns-pat-mcafee-over-caitlin-clark-backlash-horrible-host\/\" title=\"Watch: Hannity Criticizes ESPN&#039;s ... for Handling of Caitlin Clark Backlash\">incident highlights issues<\/a> within ESPN, which has shifted over the past decade from its original sports coverage to becoming more involved in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tulane-university-to-host-event-on-decolonizing-study-abroad\/\" title=\"Tulane University To Host Event On \u2018Decolonizing Study Abroad\u2019\">left-wing activism<\/a> and cultural debates. The article also provides background on Rasmussen\u2019s life and contributions, noting that he and his son Scott envisioned the network in the late 1970s, challenging the odds at the time. The piece reflects on ESPN&#8217;s current state, contrasting it with its innovative beginnings and lamenting the apparent decline in the network\u2019s focus and professionalism.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>ESPN botched a tribute to its late founder, Bill Rasmussen, after it was announced that he had died on Tuesday at the age of 93.<\/p>\n<p>The moment was indicative of the current state of the so-called \u201cWorldwide Leader in Sports.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While ESPN has <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >spent decades giving sports fans 24-hour coverage<\/a> of major sporting events, the last 10 or so years have seen Rasmussen\u2019s creation become <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/espn-exec-offers-truth-anti-trump-jemele-hill-leaving-sportscenter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a place of dysfunction<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen, whose out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour cable sports network forever changed the landscape of sports media, died today at the age of 93.<\/p>\n<p>A game-changer for the ages. Thank you for everything, Bill \u2764\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hOCy8QyUEo\">pic.twitter.com\/hOCy8QyUEo<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 ESPN (@espn) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/espn\/status\/2089740440450765100?\">August 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>ESPN slowly but surely became <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/espn-refuses-broadcast-national-anthem-monday-night-football\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a haven for left-wing activism<\/a> after the election of former President Barack Obama in 2008.<\/p>\n<p>By 2016, shows such as \u201cFirst Take\u201d had devolved into arenas for the left\u2019s culture wars and the celebration of issues such as DEI initiatives.<\/p>\n<p>It was ironically on Tuesday\u2019s edition of \u201cFirst Take\u201d that the slipping of ESPN\u2019s production became apparent.<\/p>\n<p>As the show attempted to honor Rasmussen, the tribute was cut short by the voice of perhaps the network\u2019s only true remaining on-air star.<\/p>\n<p>As an image of ESPN\u2019s founder flashed on screen, host Pat McAfee\u2019s show started, and the host unwittingly ended the tribute early.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">ESPN\u2019s tribute to Bill Rasmussen at the end of \u2018First Take\u2019 was cut off by the beginning of \u2018The Pat McAfee Show\u2019: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/uM2oVNywXj\">pic.twitter.com\/uM2oVNywXj<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sports TV News &#038; Updates (@TVSportsUpdates) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TVSportsUpdates\/status\/2089748502318338131?\">August 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cHello, beautiful people,\u201d McAfee said, presumably unaware of problems in the booth.<\/p>\n<p>His show carried on as normal.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve never been in the producer\u2019s booth, there is a clock, and there are multiple people planning out every second of a given live television broadcast.<\/p>\n<p>The botched attempt to honor the man who created ESPN was either on the hosts or the production staff \u2014 and maybe on both.<\/p>\n<p>As ESPN <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/espn\/story\/_\/id\/49649281\/espn-founder-bill-rasmussen-dies-93\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">noted in a web story<\/a> about Rasmussen that avoided any kind of inept disruptions:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>Rasmussen died at his Florida home from the effects of Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>With son Scott, Rasmussen conceived of the initial idea of ESPN \u2014 first, as solely a Connecticut venture, and then as a 24-hour national sports network.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>It was a moment for risk-taking. In the late 1970s, not many people thought an around-the-clock cable sports network had any chance. Bill Rasmussen, who had just been fired as communications director of the New England Whalers, was one of them. He maxed out his credit card, and with his $9,000 advance, acquired valuable space on a communications satellite.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Non-sports fans might know Scott for his polling firm Rasmussen Reports, which he founded in 2003.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]] = document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display = 'block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src = firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id'] = firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting = jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display = 'block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ESPN mishandled its tribute to founder Bill Rasmussen after his death at 93, highlighting the network&#8217;s current decline. Once a pioneer in 24\/7 sports coverage, ESPN has become increasingly dysfunctional over the past decade<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2646961,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Michael-Featured-Image-1283.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[5851,84383,84382,84384],"class_list":["post-2646960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-espn","tag-network-founder","tag-on-air-tribute","tag-television-blunder"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Michael-Featured-Image-1283.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2646960"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2646968,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646960\/revisions\/2646968"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2646961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2646960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2646960"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2646960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}