On Thursday night, New Canaan Library will host one of the most influential people in the sports business, as part of its Authors on Stage series. George Bodenheimer, former ESPN president, will discuss his new book, “Every Town Is a Sports Town,” with ESPN senior vice-president and director news, Vince Doria.
George Bodenheimer worked at EPSN and EPSN on ABC for 33 years. He served as President of EPSN from 1998 to 2011. Photo contributed by New Canaan Library.
The event will start with special wine and cheese reception at 6:30 p.m., before the talk begins at 7 p.m. in the Adrian Lamb Room. In the talk, Bodenheimer and Doria will discuss the book’s message which speaks to sports fans, young people starting out their careers, and business people about ESPN’s rise as a business and in the sports world.
“[Doria] and I will be getting into a discussion about the book and about the history of ESPN and some of the things that turned the company into a great company,” Bodenheimer told NewCanaanite.com.
Bodenheimer, who has played a huge role in the rise of ESPN and the development of sports updates, worked for the company for 33 years and taps his wide experience in the pioneering sports network in his book.
“I started in the mailroom and rose to become the president of the company after 17 years,” Bodenheimer said. “[The book is] a history of the company intertwined with my own personal experience.”
As Bodenheimer rose toward ESPN’s highest office, his responsibilities evolved from picking up sportscaster Dick Vitale at the Hartford airport and driving him back to the EPSN headquarters, to lead the entire company. His work at ESPN has left an impact around the world.
Bodenheimer said he thinks that sports journalism still will continue to expand and grow.
“ESPN has never overestimated fans’ desire for sports,” he said. “I don’t think there has ever been a better time to be a sports fan, judged on what you can access and how you can access it. It’s a great time to be a sports fan.”
Bodenheimer said he is looking forward to discuss tomorrow night. If you would like to register for the event you can sign up here.
my wife and I attended the Library event featuring George Bodenheimer and Vince Doria and enjoyed every informative minute of it. To think of having a couple of former ESPN execs talking in everyday language about their experiences was fascinating to any sports fan. Quite honestly I never imagined 24/7 sports would work but man was I wrong. Well done and thanks.