ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network until 1985) is an American international multiplatform sports media company owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Communications (20%) through the joint venture ESPN Inc. The company was founded on September 7, 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen and Ed Eagan.
ESPN broadcasts primarily from studio facilities located in Bristol, Connecticut. The network also operates offices and auxiliary studios in Miami, Orlando, New York City, Las Vegas, Seattle, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. James Pitaro has been chairman since March 5, 2018, following the resignation of John Skipper on December 18, 2017.