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Essay on ESPN: The World Wide Leader in Sports

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The World Wide Leader in Sports In the years prior to 1979, the way people in the United States obtained information about sports was through either the daily newspaper, segments on the news, or just being at the game. However though on September 7th, 1979 all of that would forever change as a new TV channel would debut. Entertainment and Sports Programing Network, ESPN, would become the first TV channel dedicated as an all sports channel. They dubbed it as “If you love sports…if you really love sports, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to sports heaven.” Since its initial launch ESPN has grown to become one of the most successful TV channels/companies out there. Over that time ESPN has been able to …show more content…

In the days after the event ESPN had gotten a lot of flak because of how they went about it (Olhmeyer, “The ‘Decision’ Dilemma”). Many people amongst the journalism and sports industry had said that they tarnished their credibility (Olhmeyer, “The ‘Decision’ Dilemma”). Despite all of the negative feedback ESPN was smart in broadcasting it. The Decision helped to assist in ESPNs brand identity being that aside from live NBA games, you will be able to get breaking news around the league or any major announcement hence the Decision. Reasons like that are why the NBA has been very successful for ESPN in achieving brand identity. It’s like if you want to watch a marquee basketball game then you will tune into ESPN because you know you are getting a strong product with a great result. ESPNs brand identity of the NBA can be linked as being similar to ESPNs coverage of the NHL from 1992-2004. While you can make the same case with ESPN having a similar type of brand identity with the NFL from events like the Draft and Monday Night Football games, the same cannot be said for other sports. One sport that has very little brand identity with ESPN is the NHL. One reason why ESPN has very little brand identity with hockey is because of not having any contractual agreements with the NHL. ESPN at one point did have a contract with the NHL from 1992-2004. Those rights helped to create a strong brand identity with programs such as

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