[Top Author Series] The Story Behind ESPN's Sports Heaven With Mike Soltys & Garrett Z. Sutton

Mike Soltys is the official historian and former Vice President of Communications at ESPN, the sports media giant that revolutionized 24-hour sports broadcasting. During his 43-year career, he led media relations and communications efforts as ESPN grew into a global sports powerhouse.

Garrett Z. Sutton is a corporate attorney, best-selling author, and Owner at Corporate Direct, where he helps entrepreneurs and investors structure and protect their businesses. He is the author of multiple books, including Start Your Own Corporation, Run Your Own Corporation, and several titles in Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Advisors series.

In this episode…

Everyone knows ESPN as a global sports broadcasting powerhouse today, but few recall its unlikely beginnings. The idea of a 24-hour sports network once sounded unrealistic — even reckless — to industry insiders. What drove its founders to risk everything on a vision most people believed would fail?

Mike Soltys and Garrett Z. Sutton reveal the unlikely story behind the rise of ESPN and the mindset that helped turn a risky idea into a sports media empire. Garrett shares how optimism, strategic partnerships, and relentless belief helped secure early backing from brands like Budweiser and partners such as RCA when resources were scarce. Mike reflects on ESPN's early days at a muddy construction site in Bristol, Connecticut, where the now-iconic SportsCenter first came to life. Together, they highlight the risks ESPN's founders took with their finances, careers, and reputations to bring the network to life. Their stories illustrate how perseverance, creative problem-solving, and strong relationships helped transform a scrappy startup into a global sports broadcasting powerhouse.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Mike Soltys and Garrett Z. Sutton to discuss the bold founding story behind ESPN. They explore the risks the founders took, the partnerships that helped secure early sponsors, and the satellite deal that propelled ESPN nationwide. Mike and Garrett also share lessons on resilience, teamwork, and staying optimistic through uncertainty.