In 1978, a City of Bristol sign at 935 Middle Street heralds the upcoming construction of ESPN’s first structure, now known as Building 1.
ESPN first took to the airwaves on Sept. 7, 1979, 37 years ago today. The network is the result of a brainstorm the year before between founder Bill Rasmussen and his son Scott. Front Row has raided the photo vaults to share glimpses of the network’s launch.