Panel discussion: How ESPN changed sports and continues to innovate

ESPN—which launched on Sept. 7, 1979, in Bristol—revolutionized sports. Thanks to an entrepreneurial spirit and out-of-the-box thinking by founder Bill Rasmussen, the network created a 24/7 media ecosystem, transforming how fans consume sports.

A panel of ESPN trailblazers will discuss how one bold idea ignited a global sports revolution—and how the network has continued to innovate by making sports more accessible, engaging and culturally pervasive. 

The panelists are Mike Soltys, ESPN historian and 44-year ESPN veteran; Carol Stiff, former VP of Women’s Sports Programming at ESPN; and Gary Striewski, ESPN SportsCenter anchor.

This event is hosted by the Robert C. Vance Endowed Chair in Journalism and Mass Communication and the New Britain Institute, in conjunction with community partners Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, Inc. and the Consolidated School District of New Britain.