ESPN president John Skipper abruptly resigned Monday, citing a battle with substance addiction.
In a statement, Skipper, ESPN’s president since 2012, submitted his immediate resignation as he seeks treatment for a substance abuse problem.
“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 in a statement. “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. I come to this public disclosure with embarrassment, trepidation and a feeling of having let others I care about down.
“As I deal with this issue and what it means to me and my family, I ask for appropriate privacy and a little understanding.”
George Bodenheimer, ESPN’s president from 1998 to 2011, will take over Skipper’s duties on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is found.
Skipper’s tenure at ESPN has been occasionally controversial, but his tenure at ESPN — which dates back to 1997 — has seen great success at the network.
