Stunning news coming out of the sports world: ESPN president John Skipper has resigned from his role at the company, citing “substance addiction” as the primary reason. (TVNewser)
“I come to this public disclosure with embarrassment, trepidation and a feeling of having let others I care about down. To my colleagues at ESPN, it has been a privilege. I take great pride in your accomplishments and have complete confidence in your collective ability to continue ESPN’s success,” Skipper said in a statement. (HuffPost)
George Bodenheimer, ESPN’s president from 1998-2011, will take over the position for the next 90 days as Bob Iger and Disney decide on a full-time replacement. (New York Post)
Skipper has been with ESPN since 1997 and served as its president since 2012. Skipper’s departure comes at a highly uncertain time for the Worldwide Leader. The company has gone through periodic downsizing, with several hundred employees both on-camera and behind-the-scenes having lost their jobs in recent months. (Mediaite)
Skipper has also served as co-chairman of the Disney Media Networks wing alongside Ben Sherwood, president of Disney/ABC Television Group. The news of his departure is particularly surprising as there had been rumblings in sports media circles that he was about to sign a long-term contract extension with Disney. (Variety)