John Skipper, the former president of ESPN who abruptly resigned in December citing a substance-abuse problem, says his decision to step down after more than 20 years at the company was prompted by an extortion attempt by a person from whom he purchased cocaine.
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Mr. Skipper said he disclosed the situation to Bob Iger, chief executive of Walt Disney Co. , the majority owner of ESPN, on Friday, Dec. 15. His resignation, which he called a mutual decision at the time, was announced the following Monday.
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Reached by phone, Mr. Skipper confirmed the contents of the interview with the Hollywood Reporter and declined to comment further. A spokeswoman for Disney declined to comment.
“In December, someone from whom I bought cocaine attempted to extort me,” Mr. Skipper said in the interview to the Hollywood Reporter.
“They threatened me, and I understood immediately that threat put me and my family at risk, and…
