The “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) brings cable television audiences live or tape-delayed sports-related events and news. The network is perhaps best known for its signature show, “SportsCenter,” which broadcast its 30,000th episode in February 2007. Founded by William and Scott Rasmussen in 1979, the now Walt Disney owned company broadcasts in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as across the United States, and owns 21 channels in addition to the main ESPN. Plans for a 23rd sister channel are in the works, ESPN 3D, which plans to broadcast events like the FIFA World Cup and the BCS National Championship Game.

In addition to the plethora of stations, the Connecticut-based ESPN also maintains several business ventures and internet Web sites, including ESPN.com, ESPN Broadband, and ESPN The Magazine, among others.