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"I have struggled for many years with a
substance addiction," Skipper, who was also Disney Media
Networks co-chairman, said in a statement. "I have decided that
the most important thing I can do right now is to take care of
my problem." (http://es.pn/2kgmnCb)
George Bodenheimer will be the sports network's acting chairman
for the next 90 days, ESPN said in a statement. He had been its
president from 1998 to 2011 and executive chairman until May
2014.
An ESPN spokeswoman declined to comment on who may be considered
as Skipper's successor.
Skipper's departure comes within a few days after Disney struck
a deal to buy film, television and international businesses from
Rupert Murdoch's Twenty-First Century Fox Inc <FOXA.O> for $52.4
billion.
Skipper, who became ESPN president in 2012, has led the network
to a series of long-term distribution agreements with major
rights holders, including the National Basketball Association
and Major League Baseball.
But ESPN has also struggled with subscriber losses and ratings
declines. Last month, it said it would lay off about 150
employees.
Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger, who extended his stay
at the company through 2021 to oversee integration of Fox's
businesses, lauded Skipper's candor and backed his decision.
Disney shares were down 0.2 percent at $111.09 on Monday
afternoon.
(Reporting by Aishwarya Venugopal in Bengaluru and Sheila Dang
in New York; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Lisa Von Ahn)
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