Simmons Helped In Initial Development Of ESPN

Chet Simmons, one of the more influential sports television execs, is being remembered after passing away Thursday at the age of 81 at his Georgia home. Simmons was involved in the creation of ABC’s landmark “Wide World of Sports” series in the late '50s before spending 15 years as President of NBC Sports. Simmons raised eyebrows when he left the Peacock for ESPN prior to the net’s launch in '79. During his time in Bristol, Simmons is credited with creating “SportsCenter,” acquiring the rights to broadcast the NFL Draft for the first time and airing comprehensive coverage of the NCAA basketball tournament’s early rounds. He was honored by the industry in '05 when he received the Sports Emmy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award. ESPN’s Bob Ley said Simmons “exuded class and leadership, and inspired affection and loyalty in everybody he dealt with."