- ESPN, the world’s leading multiplatform sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, the leading sports app, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, leading social and digital platforms, ESPN.com, ESPN Audio, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.
- Based in Bristol, Conn., ESPN has approximately 3,800 employees (4,600 worldwide). ESPN Plaza includes more than 1.3 million square feet in 19 buildings on 120 acres (additional 200,000+ sq. ft. rented in two locations nearby).
- ESPN launched on September 7, 1979, and is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. Hearst holds a 20 percent interest. ESPN was originally conceived in 1978 and office space was rented in Plainville, Conn., before the Bristol property was purchased and developed.
- ESPN’s 2022 in review.
- Jimmy Pitaro was named ESPN’s eighth president in March 2018 and named Chairman, ESPN in February 2023.
| PRIMARY BUSINESS ENTITIES | |
| U.S. Networks | Eight cable networks and ESPN on ABC. |
| Direct to Consumer | ESPN+ launched April 2018 in collaboration with DTCI, with thousands of live events, original programs and on-demand content. |
| Audio | ESPN Radio Network and podcasts. Sports talk and event programming. |
| Digital | ESPN.com; ESPN App; ESPN3; ESPN Fantasy Sports; espnW.com; ESPNDeportes.com; Andscape.com; market-, college- and sport-specific sites; and more |
| Overseas | Through its affiliated networks and businesses across media, ESPN reaches sports fans on all seven continents, including via 44 networks reaching 71 countries. |
| Event Management | ESPYS, college bowls & basketball events |
U.S. Television
- ESPN on ABC (Broadcast)
- Eight Domestic Cable Networks: ESPN (launched in 1979, ESPN HD launched in 2003); ESPN2 (1993, ESPN2 HD launched in 2005); ESPNEWS (1996, ESPNEWS HD in 2008); ESPNU (2005, ESPNU HD in 2008); Spanish-language ESPN Deportes (2004, ESPN Deportes HD in 2011), the regionally focused Longhorn Network (2011), SEC Network (August 2014) and the ACC Network (August 2019).
Key U.S. Programming
- SportsCenter — Debuting on ESPN’s launch day (September 7, 1979), ESPN’s first and flagship show defines the sports news genre. It offers breaking news, highlights, features and in-depth analysis from award-winning journalists.
- NFL’s Monday Night Football; MLB; NBA (The Finals on ABC); NHL (Stanley Cup Finals on ABC); college football including the College Football Playoff; men’s and women’s college basketball, including the women’s NCAA Tournament; tennis’ Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open, all start to finish; The Masters; WNBA; Little League World Series; and more.
- Daily and weekly sport-specific studio shows for NFL, MLB, NBA and college football and basketball.
- Critically acclaimed and award-winning documentaries and original programming including the “30 for 30” films.
ESPN Plaza & Other Production Facilities
- ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Conn., is home to one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced TV production facilities. Digital Center-1 (2004) and Digital Center-2 (2014) total more than 400,000 square feet. They serve as home for SportsCenter, NFL programming and more. Overall, ESPN Plaza is home to 19 buildings on 120 acres and 1.3 million square feet of office/production space.
- ESPN’s Los Angeles Production Center (LAPC) went online in 2009 in the LA LIVE entertainment/retail complex. The 129,000-square foot facility has four studios and produces programming for ESPN’s U.S. networks, including SportsCenter, NBA Today, NBA Countdown, In the Creas, ESPN FC, ESPN Deportes’ Ahora O Nunca and Fútbol Americas.
- In April 2018, a new facility at New York’s South Street Seaport overlooking the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge went online. With two studios (connected to control rooms at other locations), it is home to Get Up, First Take and more (TV, radio, podcasts). The 21,000-square-foot space is supplemented by a separate studio for NFL (2020) and a huge rooftop platform that can accommodate a public audience.
- In 1999, ESPN added a facility in Charlotte, N.C., which totals 38,000 square feet with two multiuse studios and nearly two dozen departments. As the home of SEC Network, programming produced in the Charlotte Production Center includes The Paul Finebaum Show, SEC Now, SEC This Morning, Marty & McGee, Read & React, Out of Pocket and Rally Cap. In 2014, ESPN began leasing additional office space across the street from the Charlotte Production Center to accommodate supplementary departments based in Charlotte.
- In August 2020, the Las Vegas studio opened as the new home of Daily Wager and other segments for TV, including SportsCenter, digital and social. The 6,000-square-foot facility has three studios and is connected to ESPN control rooms and technical operations around the country.
- In addition to Austin, Texas, home of Longhorn Network, ESPN has a studio in Washington, D.C.
ESPN+
Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ is the No. 1 sports streaming platform, serving fans in the U.S. with exclusive access to more than 27,000 live sports events each year, an unmatched library of on-demand replays and acclaimed original content, and premium written articles by the top reporters and analysts from ESPN.com. Fans can sign up to ESPN+ at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or in the ESPN App on mobile and connected devices. For more, visit the ESPN+ Press Kit.
Audio
ESPN Audio is comprised of ESPN Radio – the nation’s largest sports radio network and home of more than one-half of all sports listenership – ESPNRadio.com and ESPN Podcasts.
- ESPN Radio, which launched January 1, 1992, provides more than 9,000 hours of talk and event content annually, reaching more than 32 million listeners per week on approximately 500 stations – including more than 400 full-time affiliates and clearance in the top 25 markets. ESPN Radio national programming is also available on SiriusXM and via digital distributors Apple Music, iHeartRadio and TuneIn.
- ESPN Audio launched its first podcast in 2005 and is a leader in the sports genre with more than 35 original offerings, plus shows from ESPN Radio and television. Offerings focus on “sports passions,” storytelling and compelling personalities. ESPN’s podcasts are available wherever you download your podcasts.
Digital
ESPN’s Digital properties include ESPN.com; ESPN App; ESPN3; ESPN Fantasy Sports; espnW.com; ESPNDeportes.com; Andscape.com; market-, college- and sport-specific sites; and more.
ESPN Overseas
Through its affiliated networks and businesses, ESPN reaches sports fans around the world via 44 networks (in 71 countries and territories across all seven continents), plus radio, digital, consumer products and event management.
- In addition to marquee U.S. (NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR, IRL, all of golf’s and tennis’ Grand Slam events) and major international (UEFA Champions League and other top soccer, cricket and more) sports, there are 11 local versions of SportsCenter in three languages — Spanish, Portuguese, and English.
- Offices or production facilities include Amsterdam, Bengaluru, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Melbourne, Mexico City, Mumbai, New York, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto and Bristol, Conn.
Event Management
- ESPYS (launched in 1993)
- ESPN Events owns and operates 35 events, highlighted by 18 college bowl games and 11 college basketball events.
Consumer Products
ESPN Consumer Products offer fans high quality collections inspired by compelling content, unique marketing campaigns and ESPN’s trademark personality at a variety of retail channels. Categories include branded and co-branded apparel and accessories, sporting goods, and indoor/outdoor recreation.
ESPN Wide World of Sports
At Walt Disney World in Orlando, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is a leading multi-sport venue for amateur and pro sports, hosting 100 events yearly, several of which are presented on ESPN platforms.
Corporate Citizenship
Every day at ESPN, we share stories of inspiration and perseverance with the world. We see firsthand how sports has the ability to transform lives, and we are proud to broaden that narrative through our own Corporate Citizenship programs and initiatives.
ESPN Corporate Citizenship encompasses our multi-faceted community initiatives, including employee volunteerism, charitable giving, cause marketing and sustainability, while also utilizing our media assets to reach and uplift diverse communities.
###
