ESPN President and co-chairman, John Skipper has announced he is leaving the company. Skipper, 61, had been in his position as President of the company since 2012. He’d worked at ESPN since 1997, when he joined on as Senior Vice President and General manager of ESPN The Magazine. Skipper released a statement thanking the company and giving his reasons for his seemingly sudden resignation from the company.

 

 

 

“Today I have resigned from my duties as President of ESPN. I have had a wonderful career at the Walt Disney Company and am grateful for the many opportunities and friendships. I we a debt to many, but most profoundly Michael Lynton, George Bodenheimer, and Bob Iger.”

 

 

 

“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 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 down. As I deal with this issue and what it means to my family, I ask for appropriate privacy and a little understanding.”