ESPN president John Skipper resigns citing substance addiction
ESPN president John Skipper has announced his resignation, citing a problem with substance addiction.
Former
ESPN president George Bodenheimer, who worked for the sports media
company for more than 30 years, will step in as interim president.
The changes are effective immediately.
Mr Skipper said in a statement: "I come to this public disclosure with embarrassment, trepidation and a feeling of having let others I care about down."
"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."
Mr Skipper has led ESPN since 2012 and recently
signed an extension to his contract through 2021. He had worked at ESPN
since 1997.
The company, owned by Disney, has been facing
challenges as the number of people with pay TV declines. It has
undergone several rounds of layoffs in recent years.
Mr Skipper's departure comes after few says after Disney struck a deal to buy film, television and international businesses from Rupert Murdoch's Twenty-First Century Fox for $52.4bn.
Disney
chief executive Bob Iger, who has extended his stay at the company
until the end of 2021 to oversee integration of Fox's businesses,
praised Mr Skipper's candor.
Mr Skipper has led ESPN to a series
of long-term, multi-platform agreements with major sports rights
holders, including the National Basketball Association and the Major
League Baseball.
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