ESPN’s Former President Resigned Due to Cocaine Extortion Plot John Skipper shockingly resigned in December, citing a long battle with substance addiction. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Skipper revealed that he was embroiled in a cocaine extortion plot. Skipper said that he had been carefully using cocaine for years but when he bought from a new dealer, they threatened him. John Skipper, to The Hollywood Reporter John Skipper, to The Hollywood Reporter ESPN and Disney have yet to comment on Skipper’s interview.