ESPN: The Uncensored History

Like many 20-something males I am addicted to ESPN. The channel has been a mainstay of sports fanatics for over twenty five years. In ESPN: The Uncensored History, Michael Freeman examines the network’s first two decades. The story of how a rinky dink cable network became one of the most important forces in television is amazing. Freeman also dissects life in the station itself; the highs and the lows. The book is compelling throughout.

Freeman begins Uncensored History with the back story of how ESPN was founded. This is the strongest section as it is chock full of information that I never knew about the network. Bill Rasmussen and his son’s small idea of an all sports station, which no one seemed to take seriously until the Getty Corporation stepped in and took and took an 85% interest in the network to get it off the ground is fascinating. For people, like myself were unaware of this history, it’s rather startling how so many people didn’t believe in ESPN or cable television in general.

After getting off the ground ESPN’s early years with their wild programming selections is detailed, as they slowly but surely drew in better ratings and were able to afford to program better regarded sports. Until finally in the late 80’s with program director John Walsh who became obsessed with making ESPN a respected journalistic entity.

Uncensored History also delves into a rather extensive history of sexual harassment at ESPN that went from its early years until the late 90’s. Being that the network is dominated by males, female co-workers tended to deal with lots of abuse. Also gone into are the terrible work conditions that PA’s put up with in order to work for the World Wide Leader in Sports as well as the different fights the on air personalities would have with management and each other.

The profiles of the anchors are interesting, but I felt that they needed to be more fleshed out, except for Olberman (probably because Olberman was obviously interviewed at length since he no longer worked at the network when the book was being written).

Interspersed with all of this, is information about ESPN’s growth in facilities and power. Within just over a decade ESPN added another network, then another, and another – as well as Radio and a magazine. When Disney purchased ABC (who had obtained ESPN from Getty years earlier) Michael Eisner called ESPN the crown jewel of the purchase.

ESPN: The Uncensored History was obviously meticulously researched and is very well written. I personally would have tried to get a bit more behind the scenes and not so much sensationalist stories, but the book is nonetheless compelling and a good read for any fan of SportsCenter.