20 Holy Smokes 1970’s Photos And Moments From ABC’s ‘Wide World of Sports’

ABC created its revolutionary Wide World of Sports program in 1961, forever changing the sports broadcasting game.

Published 1 month ago in Ftw

ABC created its revolutionary Wide World of Sports program in 1961, forever changing the sports broadcasting game.

Paving the way for modern sports coverage, Wide World of Sports featured everything from highlights, to full games, to special one-off events more akin to modern Red Bull challenges than established competitions.

The Wide World of Sports broadcasted Evel Kneivel's Snake Canyon jump, the Indy 500, and as you'll soon see, the World Record High Dive Challenge.

Here are 21 photos from ABC's Wide World of Sports.

1
The Wide World of Sports
Opening title sequence.

2
Evel Knievel
At Snake River Canyon, on ABC's "Wide World of Sports." 1974.

3
Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell
In an interview.
4
Keith Jackson
A reporter and play by play man.

5
Part of the show's title sequence featured the Slovenian ski jumper Vinko Bogataj, and his nasty wipeout at the 1970 World Ski Championships. The clip became well known to viewers across the United States, but Bogataj was unaware until an anniversary special brought "Wide World of Sports" stars back together in 1981.
6
Jim McKay
A beloved host and broadcaster.
7
Jim McKay, Art Devlin, and Anne Henning
Friends and broadcasters.

8
Roberto Duran After Defeating Sugar Ray Leonard.
With Don King and Sugar Ray Leonard, 1980.
9
Howard Cosell
With a McLaren F1 car in Monaco. 1973.
10
Muhammad Ali
With Joe Bugner, and Howard Cosell.