Those Guys Have All the Fun

Inside the World of ESPN

In the exclusive behind the scenes look, sports fans can unlock the fascinating history of the channel that changed the way people watch and interact with their favorite teams.
It began, in 1979, as a mad idea of starting a cable channel to televise local sporting events throughout the state of Connecticut. Today, ESPN is arguably the most successful network in modern television history, spanning eight channels in the Unites States and around the world. But the inside story of its rise has never been fully told-until now.

Drawing upon over 500 interviews with the greatest names in ESPN's history and an All-Star collection of some of the world's finest athletes, bestselling authors James Miller and Tom Shales take us behind the cameras. Now, in their own words, the men and women who made ESPN great reveal the secrets behind its success-as well as the many scandals, rivalries, off-screen battles and triumphs that have accompanied that ascent. From the unknown producers and business visionaries to the most famous faces on television, it's all here.

Too long and unnecessary info

The book isn't bad, as its an exhaustive and in depth look at ESPN. It does not need to be almost 30 hrs though, and it really drags on as it goes. Theres way too much executive and rights deal info that really isn't that interesting. There was surprisingly not that much about the anchors themselves, the rise of Stuart Scott and the flashy style they brought alone in the 90s was barely a foot note to the hours of negotiations info for tv rights etc. Also was not updated from 2011, something like SNL that they should have done, which means its somewhat outdated. The main male voice actor sounds bored and is uninteresting. Some of the women narrators overact a bit. But its decent overall.

A must have for sports fans.

A must have for sports fans, indepth, easy to listen to complete history of everything that is ESPN.

Addictive tale of the rise of an Empire

The oral history of the humble beginnings of a regional basic cable sports channel that grew into one of the most valuable media properties in the world. Although the author isnt the best narrator, the two voice talents who read the interviewees' words are terrific. I couldn't stop listening to it.

If you like media history and "inside baseball" (no pun intended), give it a spin.

Good in depth story

Good background on the history of ESPN and the people who built it from the ground to where it is today

Great Story, Terrible Performance

While the behind the curtain story was great, the fact that they couldn't correctly pronounce real people's names and had factual flubs (South Africa to South America in the same sentence, billions to millions) made it annoying to listen to. Choosing the subtle to narrate the interstitial parts was even more awkward, he sounded like he was in such a rush to get out of the booth that he tripped over words on his way out the door