Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1170674
2019 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 29 The Players Employing well over 4,000 workers, Disney-owned ESPN is the largest industry employer in the state. Launched in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, the 24-hour cable sports network was the first of its kind. Innovations like "Sports Center," and "March Madness" basketball coverage, as well as scoring cable's first million-dollar deal with Anheuser-Busch, helped EPSN evolve from a small startup on a one-acre parcel of land in Bristol to a multimedia sports empire. Four decades later, the company is now home to 18 buildings spread across a 123-acre campus. Last year, the sports leader presented more than 64,000 hours of event and studio programming (TV and digital combined) and 23,542 live events, reaching nearly 100 million Americans per month. With new president James Pitaro taking over in March of 2018, the company plans to prioritize innovation, storytelling and programming, audience expansion, and direct-to- consumer streaming to address the evolving needs of its fans. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), established in 1983, is a long-time Stamford resident. Employing approximately 750 full-time workers in Connecticut, the wrestling giant broadcasts to 180 countries. Producing programs like "Monday Night Raw," "SmackDown Live," "Total Divas," and "Total Bellas," as well as having launched the first-ever 24/7 direct-to-consumer network in 2014, WWE reaches more than 800 million households, worldwide. Blue Sky Studios is yet another luminary in the state. After relocating to Greenwich from New York in 2009, the digital animation studio has steadily grown in size and scope, employing more than 450 workers. Recently acquired by Disney, Blue Sky has produced both short and feature-length films, including the 2017 Oscar-nominated "Ferdinand." Headquartered in Stamford, the NBC Sports Group (part of NBCUniversal, and owned by Comcast) rounds out the top four industry leaders in the state. Employing nearly 800 workers, along with additional freelancers and vendors, NBC operates out of a state-of-the-art, 300,000-square-foot facility that houses NBC Sports, NBC Sports Network, NBC Olympics, NBC Sports Digital, and NBC Regional. Producing high-profile sporting events like The Olympics, Super Bowl, "Sunday Night Football," NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, as well as vast sports programming across a wide range of properties, NBC Sports Group came to Connecticut, in part, to consolidate its sports divisions. "Prior to making Stamford our official home in 2013, NBC Sports had employees working in five different offices across three different states, spread out between Philadelphia, Stamford and New York City," said Pete Bevacqua, president of NBC Sports Group. "The new headquarters in Connecticut allowed NBC Sports Group to consolidate all of our sports divisions under one roof, producing unprecedented collaboration and teamwork. Here, we can continue to cultivate an incredible culture within an exciting industry that people are passionate about. Stamford really is 'The City That Works.' " Another NBCUniversal division, also in Stamford, produces several daytime talk shows including "The Maury Show," "The Steve Wilkos Show," and "Judge Jerry," a new syndicated court show premiering in the fall of 2019 and starring Jerry Springer. Goodnight Film has set many of its movies in Connecticut, including this one in Vernon. Photo courtesy of Goodnight Film. DIGITAL MEDIA & FILM NBC's Connecticut presence creates not only 800 direct jobs but many freelance positions and spin-off jobs.