ESPN is an American basic cable sports broadcasting network and the flagship property of ESPN, LLC, a joint venture of the Walt Disney Company, Hearst Communications (18%) and the National Football League (10%). Founded on September 7, 1979, by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan, it is widely considered as the biggest sports network, with its title being the "Worldwide Leader in Sports", with a 20% share interest of sports as a rise from previous years. It rules through extended live rights for the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA. With college sports, it has its own streaming service.