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Stuart Evey
Stuart Evey
Stuart Evey was an American television executive.
Evey, who oversaw Getty Oil’s non-petroleum businesses, was asked in late 1978 to evaluate a plan for an all-sports network. In those early days of cable programming, there were few channels, let alone any that televised sports 24 hours a day. He recommended that the company invest in the start-up that became ESPN and then took an active role in its management for five years.
Stuart Evey was an American television executive.
Evey, who oversaw Getty Oil’s non-petroleum businesses, was asked in late 1978 to evaluate a plan for an all-sports network. In those early days of cable programming, there were few channels, let alone any that televised sports 24 hours a day. He recommended that the company invest in the start-up that became ESPN and then took an active role in its management for five years.
Evey persuaded the Getty board to invest $10 million in ESPN for an 85 percent stake, with former hockey team executive Bill Rasmussen and his family owning the rest. It was a critical investment. The network went on the air on September 7, 1979, and eventually became the largest force in sports media.
Evey died December 8, 2017, in Spokane, Washington. He was 84.
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