ESPN

ESPN: The Uncensored History traces the first 24-hour sports network from its inception through its evolution into a slick media outlet reaching more than 60 million homes via more than 26,000 cable providers. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, ESPN, has blazed a stunning path of achievement with its expansive coverage of broadcast sports—spinning off into ESPN2, ESPN Classic Sports, ESPNews, and ESPN Magazine—but has also experienced its share of controversy. Along the way, this American entrepreneurial triumph has alienated on-air talent, drawn charges of racial discrimination, and seen employees accused of blatant sexual harassment. ESPN's success story is no fairy tale. Among the colorful lore and amusing anecdotes lurk serious complications and controversies. Through information gleaned from internal documents, police and court records, and interviews with network employees, on-air talent, producers, and executives, ESPN: The Uncensored History probes the inside story of America's premiere sports network. Part corporate history, part media and cultural analysis, and part expose, the book examines both the positive developments effected by the network and the bad habits it has picked up from the business it covers. This paperback reveals the most recent developments at ESPN since the publication of the hardback, including the network's aggressive reactions to the book.

“This story would make a terrific Outside the Lines. Yet ESPN's investigative series ... wouldn't touch the material ... with a 10-foot TelePrompTer.”

This is a must-read for ESPN and sports fans alike. Gadflyonline.Com
The tale of ESPN's rise digs deeply...into behind-the-scenes shenanigans... Sports Illustrated
...powerful and entertaining. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Extensively researched, ESPN: The Uncensored History presents a fascinating, candid, revealing story in clear, unambiguous, and highly evocative language. A singularly memorable and compelling 'tell-all' book, ESPN: The Uncensored History is strongly recommended reading for all sports buffs. Library Bookwatch
Network stoolies are buzzing about a...book on ESPN by New York Times sports writer Mike Freeman...sounds real juicy New York Daily News
...a fascinating new book...might make you watch ESPN in a whole new way. Book Page
Michael Freeman tells the story with the same urgency and breathlessness that ESPN brings to its coverage of sports.... a dazzling American success story .... American Way
Freeman uses network documents, court records, and (often anonymous) interviews with past and current employees to make this a compelling read. Highly recommended. Library Journal
After reading this explosive book it's hard to believe that a network owned by the squeaky-clean Disney Corporation could allow the sexual hijinks that go on at ESPN to escape their corporate scrutiny. A devastating read. Publishers Weekly
Michael Freeman provides the first book of critical analysis of the original and largest sports network. Sports Collectors Digest
Give Freeman points for diligent research [and] for his no-nonsense history of how the all-sports network evolved. Philadelphia Daily News
... compelling subject matter for any sports fan. Daytona News-Journal
Freeman, a skilled and concise writer, does an exceptional job of telling the entire story—warts and all .... Baltimore Sun
... sizzling expose ... truly shocking. Publishers Weekly
Orlando Sentinel
Michael Freeman has captured the essence of the freewheeling, 24-hour cable network that pioneered not just sports television, but the cable industry itself. Fort Worth Star-Telegram
... give[s] the reader a real insight to the early days at ESPN. Tampa Tribune
... stunning ... fascinating .... Chicago Sun-Times

Michael Freeman is a sportswriter with The New York Times and has held several positions as a reporter at The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and The Dallas Morning News. He currently covers the National Football League. Freeman was named "Sports Journalist of the Year" in 2000 by The Village Voice. He lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.

ESPN: The Uncensored History traces the first 24-hour sports network from its inception through its evolution into a slick media outlet reaching more than 60 million homes via more than 26,000 cable providers. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, ESPN, has blazed a stunning path of achievement with its expansive coverage of broadcast sports--spinning off into ESPN2, ESPN Classic Sports, ESPNews, and ESPN Magazine--but has also experienced its share of controversy. Along the way, this American entrepreneurial triumph has alienated on-air talent, drawn charges of racial discrimination, and seen employees accused of blatant sexual harassment. ESPN's success story is no fairy tale. Among the colorful lore and amusing anecdotes lurk serious complications and controversies. Through information gleaned from internal documents, police and court records, and interviews with network employees, on-air talent, producers, and executives, ESPN: The Uncensored History probes the inside story of America's premiere sports network. Part corporate history, part media and cultural analysis, and part expose, the book examines both the positive developments effected by the network and the bad habits it has picked up from the business it covers. This paperback reveals the most recent developments at ESPN since the publication of the hardback, including the network's aggressive reactions to the book.

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