In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, former ESPN president John Skipper revealed that he resigned from his role at the network because of a cocaine extortion plot.
Skipper, who worked for the sports giant for 20 years before resigning about three months ago, told the publication he recreationally used the drug and that it never interfered with his work.
Naturally, the interviewer went on to ask Skipper what it was that made him resign if his drug use was so casual. Skipper’s answer? A stranger he’d bought cocaine from was trying to extort him.
“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,” Skipper told THR. “I foreclosed that possibility by disclosing the details to my family, and then when I discussed it with Bob, he and I agreed that I had placed the company in an untenable position and as a result, I should resign.”
Earlier this month, Disney executive Jimmy Pitaro replaced Skipper as the head of ESPN.
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