John Skipper has resigned as ESPN president and co-chairman of the Disney Media Networks, citing a “substance addiction” issue.

George Bodenheimer, who was president of ESPN from 1998 through 2011 and the network’s executive chairman until 2014, will take over in the interim as acting chairman while Disney finds a replacement.

ESPN: can The Worldwide Leader in Sports manage its own decline? Read more

“Today I have resigned from my duties as President of ESPN,” Skipper said in a statement. “I have had a wonderful career at the Walt Disney Company and am grateful for the many opportunities and friendships. I owe a debt to many, but most profoundly Michael Lynton, George Bodenheimer and Bob Iger.

“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. I will always appreciate the human understanding and warmth that Bob displayed here and always.

“I come to this public disclosure with embarrassment, trepidation and a feeling of having let others I care about down.

“As I deal with this issue and what it means to me and my family, I ask for appropriate privacy and a little understanding.

“To my colleagues at ESPN, it has been a privilege. I take great pride in your accomplishments and have complete confidence in your collective ability to continue ESPN’s success.”

Skipper, 61, joined ESPN in 1997 as senior vice president and general manager of ESPN The Magazine.

Said Iger in a statement: “I join John Skipper’s many friends and colleagues across the company in wishing him well during this challenging time. I respect his candor and support his decision to focus on his health and his family. With his departure, George Bodenheimer has agreed to serve as Acting Chair of ESPN for the next 90 days to provide interim leadership, help me identify and secure John’s successor, and ensure a smooth transition. I am grateful for George’s support and look forward to working with him again in this temporary role.”

There was no public indication that this was coming. Earlier this year Skipper signed a contract extension to keep him at ESPN through 2021 and last week spoke about the company’s plans in New York at the Sports Video Group Summit. He told the group of industry experts that ESPN’s growing digital audience is making up for the loss of television viewers.

He also called hundreds of ESPN’s on-air talent to a summit last week at company headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, to talk about the business.

Disney’s proposed purchase of several of 21st Century Fox’s assets, if approved, is likely to add the 22 Fox-owned regional sports networks to ESPN’s portfolio.

ESPN is also not escaping the current focus on sexual misconduct. ESPN quickly canceled a show earlier this year produced in partnership with Barstool Sports after some questions were raised about content, and the Boston Globe reported last week about several current and former network employees describing a “locker room culture” at the network that is hostile to women.