In some absolutely huge news around the sports media world, embatttled ESPN President and Disney Media Networks co-chairman John Skipper has announced his resignation, effective immediately.
“Today I have resigned from my duties as President of ESPN,” Skipper said in a statement, via ESPN. “I have had a wonderful career at the Walt Disney Company and am grateful for the many opportunities and friendships. I owe a debt to many, but most profoundly Michael Lynton, George Bodenheimer and Bob Iger.”
Skipper cited a struggle with substance abuse issues “for many years” as his reason for resigning.
“I have struggled for many years with a substance addiction. I have decided that the most important thing I can do right now is to take care of my problem,” Skipper said. “I have disclosed that decision to the company, and we mutually agreed that it was appropriate that I resign. I will always appreciate the human understanding and warmth that Bob displayed here and always.”
This comes on the heels of an explosive report coming out late last week focusing on widespread sexual harassment allegations at ESPN (more on that here).
Skipper joined the four-letter network as senior VP and general manager of ESPN The Magazine back in 1997. He was named president in January of 2012.
Under Skipper’s watch, ESPN has become a divisive entity with its political grandstanding and a sense of opinion overriding the network’s previous MO of straight reporting. Recent lay-offs of some of the best in the business only added to this.
Former ESPN executive chairman George Bodenheimer will take over as president on an interim basis until the network finds a full-time replacement.