Driving By ESPN HQ in Bristol Was Incredible in the 1990’s

I drove past a beautifully manicured city-within-a-city for the first time in a long time over the weekend - 'The Crown Jewel of Connecticut-Based National Media' ESPN Headquarters. It's on Middle Street in Bristol, not far from Exit 31 of 1-84. In my opinion, it's such a disappointing view in 2023, compared to the pre-Disney days of the 1990's.

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I found a couple of photos that I snapped of my cousins in front of ESPN back in the early to mid 1990's. Driving along Middle Street in Bristol was so cool before the Disney magic hid the technology. You felt like you were driving into the future as you drove under dozens and dozens of massive satellite receivers, which were pointed in every direction skyward, right over your heads along the roadside. It was so cool imagining what images were being broadcast out of those things to all over the world. Here's a shot that I took -

Back in the early 90's, Lake Compounce put on quite a few big concerts at the park. I saw Metallica and The Cult, B-52's, Steve Miller, and even Sinead O'Connor. Part of the thrill for me was trying to catch a glimpse of Charley Steiner, Chris Berman, or Dan Patrick and Scottie Pippen waltzing through the parking lot. The front of the ESPN building was wide open to the street, you could see right into the parking lots and windows. Not anymore, this is what I saw yesterday -

One satellite dish, gated, tall fencing, trees and shrubs obscuring most views as you drive by. Disney, why didn't you leave some futuristic items in view? When our out-of-state friends and relatives ask to drive by to ESPN World HQ in Bristol now, in 2023? It's not magical anymore.