John Skipper resigns as ESPN president over substance addiction Posted Dec 18, 2017 John Skipper resigned as president of ESPN and co-chairman of the Disney Media Networks on Monday. "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." (ESPN.com)