ESPN began in 1998 .
ESPN broadcast the entire slate of Sunday night games ( now officially rebranded as ESPN Sunday Night Football ) , and had exclusive rights to any night game other than the season opener and regular Monday night games , which aired on ABC .
Beginning in 1998 , ESPN broadcast the entire slate of Sunday night games ( now officially rebranded as ESPN Sunday Night Football ) , and had exclusive rights to any night game other than the season opener and regular Monday night games , which aired on ABC .