The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network is more commonly known as ESPN. The popular cable sports-television network has been entertaining viewers with sports highlights, game telecasts, and commentary since 1979. It has grown from a tiny operation based in Bristol, Connecticut, to a worldwide media empire that includes multiple cable-TV (see entry under 1970s— TV and Radio in volume 4) channels, a radio (see entry under 1920s—TV and Radio in volume 2) network, a Web site, books, a magazine, and even theme restaurants bearing the ESPN logo.

Few believed that ESPN could succeed when it started broadcasting in 1979. In those early days, the network carried little-known sports like lacrosse and Australian football as well as exotic events like tractor pulls and strongman competitions. However, it steadily enlarged its audience throughout the early 1980s. In 1987, ESPN secured the rights to telecast National Football League (NFL; see entry under 1920s—Sports and...