ESPN celebrates 40th anniversary with debut of 12 new 'This is SportsCenter' ads

ESPN has come a long way since Lee Leonard introduced the network in its debut broadcast of "SportsCenter" 40 years ago.

The network, while producing groundbreaking telecasts, has also been able to poke fun at itself. ESPN's "This is SportsCenter" advertising spots have portrayed the company's Bristol, Connecticut, headquarters as a bizarre meeting place between on-air personalities and sports stars.

Beginning Saturday, ESPN is introducing 12 new "This is SportsCenter" commericals, Ad Age reported. The ad campaign, which debuted in 1995, will run across ESPN's television, digital and social platforms, the magazine reported. It's also the first time the network is running so many spots at once, according to Ad Age.