Publisher Description
In the exclusive behind the scenes look, sports fans can unlock the fascinating history of the channel that changed the way people watch and interact with their favorite teams.
It began, in 1979, as a mad idea of starting a cable channel to televise local sporting events throughout the state of Connecticut. Today, ESPN is arguably the most successful network in modern television history, spanning eight channels in the Unites States and around the world. But the inside story of its rise has never been fully told-until now.
Drawing upon over 500 interviews with the greatest names in ESPN’s history and an All-Star collection of some of the world’s finest athletes, bestselling authors James Miller and Tom Shales take us behind the cameras. Now, in their own words, the men and women who made ESPN great reveal the secrets behind its success-as well as the many scandals, rivalries, off-screen battles and triumphs that have accompanied that ascent. From the unknown producers and business visionaries to the most famous faces on television, it’s all here.
Download and start listening now!
“This book offers a series of first-hand accounts of how an early cable TV network grew into the mega-sports enterprise that ESPN is today. The book follows the 1st 30 years of the sports program, speaking with key players at all levels. Interestingly enough, the key stories do not so much center on sporting events, at least in the early years. At the beginning, it was a power struggle between individuals with dreams, egos, and access to money. The book can take on a bit of a gossipy feel, but with the book composed almost completely of 1st person interviews, it could be expected. It is not meant as condoning or condemning ESPN, but the multitude of perspectives and the point/counterpoint of various events/situations, etc make it a good read for those of us who grew up watching ESPN and the evolution of the network. It also didn’t hurt that I got it at half-price at Target (and this was within the 1st couple of weeks after release).”
—
Scott (4 out of 5 stars)
