ESPN president John Skipper resigns, citing substance addiction

USA Today

"Today I have resigned from my duties as President of ESPN," said Skipper, who joined the sports network in 1997, becoming president in 2012. He added: "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. I have disclosed that decision to the company, and we mutually agreed that it was appropriate that I resign...I come to this public disclosure with embarrassment, trepidation and a feeling of having let others I care about down." George Bodenheimer, who served as ESPN president from 1998 to 2011, will serve as interim president for 90 days while Skipper's successor is chosen.

ALSO:

• ESPN historian James Andrew Miller tweets "This is an addiction story. Nothing else," adding that Skipper's contract was "quietly renewed earlier this year"
• ESPN staffers were blindsided by Skipper's resignation
• Dan Le Batard teared up on air upon learning the news: "Just so you understand, this person has created everything that exists here at ESPN for us"
• "One of the most powerful figures in American sports is leaving the stage"