John Skipper, who resigned as ESPN president and co-chairman of the Disney Media Networks in December because of a “substance addiction”, says he was forced out after a blackmail threat.

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter published on Thursday, Skipper says he was a recreational user of cocaine but had been the victim of an extortion threat from someone who sold him the drug.

“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,” said the 62-year-old. “I foreclosed that possibility by disclosing the details to my family, and then when I discussed it with [Disney CEO Bob Iger], he and I agreed that I had placed the company in an untenable position and as a result, I should resign.”

Skipper said the extortion attempt made it clear his drug use was a problem he needed to address. He did, however, say he was not an addict and his cocaine habit had never interfered with his professional life before his resignation.

“My drug use never had any professional repercussions, but I still have profound regret,” he said. “I accept that the consequences of my actions are my responsibility and have been appropriate. I also have to accept that I used very poor judgment.”

ESPN has had issues with its treatment of female workers. It ended its partnership with Barstool Sports, a publication known for its crude humour and sexist jokes, after just one show in October, and the Boston Globe reported in December that several current and former network employees describing a “locker room culture” at the network that is hostile to women. However, Skipper said his departure from ESPN had nothing to do with his treatment of female employees.

“My behavior relative to women at ESPN was always respectful,” he said. “I did not touch anybody inappropriately. I did not tell off-color jokes. I treated everybody with respect. The principle reason I chose to write the statement I wrote — to disclose substance abuse — was to make it clear that this didn’t have anything to do with harassment, settled lawsuits or any internal indiscretions.”

ESPN has been hit by a number of job cuts over the last few years as it grapples with declining revenues and a stormy political landscape.



