Ex-ESPN president John Skipper says he resigned because a cocaine dealer tried to extort him
Former ESPN president John Skipper revealed Thursday that his sudden resignation from the network in December was the result of an attempted extortion plot by someone who sold him cocaine. In his announcement at the time, Skipper cited substance addiction as the reason for his resignation, but in an interview published Thursday by The Hollywood Reporter, he divulged the attempted extortion plot after being pressed by interviewer James Andrew Miller.
The incident made Skipper realize he needed to seek help for his drug use, he told THR. "They threatened me, and I understood immediately that threat put me and my family at risk, and this exposure would put my professional life at risk as well," he explained, adding that upon confiding in Bob Iger, the CEO of ESPN's parent company Disney, the two agreed that Skipper should resign.
Skipper described his past use of cocaine as "infrequent," and said that aside from "a missed plane and a few canceled morning appointments," it had never interfered with his professional life leading ESPN until December. Skipper ran ESPN for nearly six years, and took many by surprise when he stepped down, citing his plan to seek treatment.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Disney executive James Pitaro was named the new ESPN president last week. Read Skipper's full interview with The Hollywood Reporter here.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
Post Office's Capture software to be reviewed over 'glitches'
Speed Read Solicitor representing accused postmasters says flaws in the IT system follow 'very similar pattern' to Horizon
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published