Chapter Six: ESPN, Indoor Soccer and The Highlight Culture (with JP Dellacamera)

When ESPN began broadcasting in 1979, no one knew if a 24-hour sports cable station would work. The concept was new. The format was new. And there was no data to suggest the American public would watch.  But ESPN not only worked, it changed the sports culture globally by giving airtime to sports that previously went unbroadcast and by creating a highlight culture. Soccer benefited from these factors – as ESPN broadcast the Major Indoor Soccer League, bringing fans to the game in new and interesting ways. It also gave sports fans distilled key moments from various soccer matches exposing more people to the beautiful game.   JP Dellacamera has broadcast 17 World Cups, making him the voice of soccer for many Americans. He joined the show to discuss the start of his career at ESPN and how the game has evolved with the cable sports networks over the decades. Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America. Visit...