Capping a tumultuous year in Bristol, a shocker just under the wire.
ESPN president John Skipper abruptly resigned Monday, saying he has “a substance addiction problem” that he has struggled with “for many years.” Skipper’s predecessor George Bodenheimer will serve as acting president for the next 90 days.
Skipper, the most powerful executive in sports media, had just reached a contract extension last month to remain ESPN president through 2021. Just last week, he led a mandatory meeting of ESPN talent in Bristol, in which he touted the company’s future.
According to Sports Business Daily, there had been recent rumblings that Skipper would step down. SBJ and one other outlet decided not to publish those rumors after Skipper’s extension was announced.
Skipper had been with ESPN for 20 years, the last five of which he spent as president.
2017 was a crucible for ESPN, marked by barbs from aggrieved politicians and opportunists at Fox Sports and News, suspensions of high-profile talent, two rounds of massive layoffs, and the continued loss of subscribers that afflicts the entire cable industry.
Skipper is the second major sports media executive to lose his position this year. Fox Sports executive Jamie Horowitz was fired for sexual harassment earlier in the year. Skipper and Horowitz entered 2017 as the two most visible sports media executives in the business.
[News from ESPN]
