ESPN President John Skipper Resigns Due to Substance Addiction ESPN made the announcement on Monday and release the following statement from Skipper: 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 come to this public disclosure with embarrassment, trepidation and a feeling of having let others I care about down. George Bodenheimer, who served as president from 1998 until 2011, will reprise the role in replace of Skipper.