ESPN President resigns...substance addiction.

[cgj0198]

Whoa!

ESPN announced Monday that president John Skipper has resigned to deal with a substance addiction problem.

"Today I have resigned from my duties as President of ESPN," Skipper said in a statement published by ESPN. "I have had a wonderful career at the Walt Disney Company and am grateful for the many opportunities and friendships. I owe 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 I care about down."

George Bodenheimer, who served as the company's president from 1998 through 2011, will take over for Skipper, according to ESPN.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...resigns-citing-substance-addiction/960937001/

 

[noles197531103]

Just heard on the Lebatard Show. Crazy

 

[BHillz]

This news came out of nowhere. Let's see if it's just the substance addiction or something more nefarious

 

[riseboi]

Probably more to it. If he's dealt with addiction for years, what all of a sudden lead to his resignation today? hmm....

 

[QuaZ2002]

Wow, I wonder if anything else will come out of this.

 

[rdbarks10]

Well I always thought someone was on crack to agree to that NBA TV deal.

 

[FSU91]

"Substance" probaly is poonani.

 

[broadwaydad]

Probably more to it. If he's dealt with addiction for years, what all of a sudden lead to his resignation today? hmm....

The consequences

 

[ericram]

Well at least it wasn't an alleged sexual assault. Hope he gets the help he needs.

 

[JoeyKing82]

Wow, I wonder if anything else will come out of this.

The programming decisions the past few years would indicate a man on substances.

 

[-OB1-]

"Substance" probaly is poonani.

I struggle with this every day. It’s no laughing matter.

 

[Nole Daddy]

Another crack In the ESPN Empire.

 

[DTWNOLE]

The SEC is now classified as a "substance"?

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Probably more to it. If he's dealt with addiction for years, what all of a sudden lead to his resignation today? hmm....

Eventually there's a straw that breaks the camel's back.

I hope he gets the help he needs.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

The SEC is now classified as a "substance"?

Well it can deteriorate your mental state rather quickly.

 

[RobIII]

Well at least it wasn't an alleged sexual assault. Hope he gets the help he needs.

Yet

 

[squiffynole]

Man, Skippers been the king of the ESPN star making machinary everyday with futures to decide.

His sudden departure will trigger a period of uncertainty for personnel, programming and investments.

 

[captain3jack]

SEC Speed takes on a whole new meaning.

 

[Bogie710]

When it is time to make major changes, you kill the head. This allows the organization to kill off other folks who would have been a bitch to fire.

 

[AllNoles]

Within a week we will see some #metoo stuff he was getting out ahead of. Like Spacey coming out to deflect from his conduct.

 

[RichNick]

I struggle with this every day. It’s no laughing matter.

One day at a time is all we can do!

 

[SugarHillNole]

Preemptive move to give cover for the impending sexual harassment claims that are coming soon. The power elite of this country are garbage. scum. Both sides of the aisle

 

[nolaholic]

Wow, I wonder if anything else will come out of this.

I see the mythical linear ACC network becoming even less profitable if it even happens at all for ACC. This was the “ninja’s” guy. He wrote that letter for him and everything...

 

[-OB1-]

The SEC is now classified as a "substance"?

Well it can deteriorate your mental state rather quickly.

Side effects are acute irritability, delusion, & tooth loss...

 

[doofy10]

My guess: he sexually assaulted someone. He's going to play the substance abuse card.

 

[BucaNole]

What substance? If it's alcohol, then he's just being a baby. Every night after work I stop by the PAN and pickup a 12 back of budlight and drink the whole thing. Never once did me in.

 

[sterling_archer]

Interested to see how the ACC network fairs under new leadership

 

[cmanole]

She's alright, she's alright, she's alright. Dant, dant...

 

[RTM58]

Skipper's departure is a shocking one, though his tenure overseeing the network isn't without blemishes. He's overseen multiple rounds of layoffs, including cuts of 150 employees in late November. Skipper also admitted fault in creating an ESPN show for Barstool Sports personalities and then abruptly canceling it after only one episode.

Separately, an investigative report by The Boston Globe’s Jenn Abelson on allegations of mistreatment of female ESPN employees suggests that the network could face significant legal consequences. Abelson’s report depicts ESPN as a hostile work environment for women, some of whom feel they have been targeted for unwelcomed sexual advances and others of whom believe they have encountered pregnancy discrimination.

Abelson’s report names one former ESPN on-air talent who recounts suffering blatant sexism and who has since taken legal action. Adrienne Lawrence, who is an attorney, filed a discrimination complaint with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities this past summer. If Lawrence sues, she would likely include claims for sexual harassment, hostile workplace and defamation. To prevail in those claims, Lawrence would likely argue that ESPN management knew or should have known about conduct that created a hostile environment for her and other women. She might also contend that ESPN executives badmouthed her and have made it more difficult for her to land comparable employment with another network.

Lawrence would use her own experience and other available evidence to portray a pattern of misconduct. She alludes to this strategy in a tweet on Friday in which she claims that ESPN “knows” her allegations consist of far more than “text messages and photos.”

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Preemptive move to give cover for the impending sexual harassment claims that are coming soon. The power elite of this country are garbage. scum. Both sides of the aisle

Totally agree but to be fair sexual harassment isn't at all limited to the powerful, the news just makes more of it, the industry with the highest incident rate of sexual harassment is restaurant/hospitality, specifically fast food.

Having power, even as a Hardee's shift manager, is likely more the cause than being 'elite', though that certainly doesn't help things.

 

[DFSNOLE]

What substance? If it's alcohol, then he's just being a baby. Every night after work I stop by the PAN and pickup a 12 back of budlight and drink the whole thing. Never once did me in.

 

[RangerNole]

I am sure he will be fine. Some time hanging out at rehab, likely paid and in a year or so of paid time off he will be back in the mix. I guess the real stressor is he may only get a the maid, chef, car washer etc 5 times a week instead of 7 days

 

[montconole]

He is very respected by Iger and just had his contract renewed. Disney would allow him to spend a month at Promises and be back in the office unless there was much more to the story.

 

[ohio#1nolefan]

I'm guessing Sportscenter pushed him to do it...How else could anyone stomach that garbage..

 

[Finance85]

I can't feel sorry for him. He's has everything, and must be responsible for his decisions.

 

[NYCNole]

Skipper lays off hundreds then bolts, bet he gets a nice "keep yo mouth shut" payout.