#TBT: ESPN salutes National Aviation Day
Friday, Aug. 19 is National Aviation Day. The date each year honors the history and development of aviation in the U.S. In 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed this date — to coincide with the birthday of aviation pioneer Orville Wright — to celebrate advancements in flight.
So, what does this have to do with ESPN? Well, ESPN’s North Campus in Bristol, Conn., sits on what used to be Stephenson Field/Bristol Airport. The exact date it opened is unknown, but records indicate the commercial airfield operated from around 1931 to some point in the mid-1950’s.
ESPN has occupied its North Campus building – first in bits and pieces alongside other companies and eventually as sole occupant – since 2005. It is currently home to more than 1,000 ESPN employees who work in Affiliate Sales & Marketing, Business Operations, Information Technology, Remote Operations and Controllers.