Answer:
First episode aired in 1979. ESPN launched at 7 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, September 7, 1979. It was the brainchild of entrepreneur and former New England Whalers TV play-by-play man Bill Rasmussen and his son, Scott Rasmussen. The first broadcast was a general introduction of the concept of ESPN by broadcaster Lee Leonard, followed by the very first "Sports Center" segment hosted by George Grande.