Staffers offer support, praise

ESPN Radio host Dan Le Batard could barely put two words together.

As he announced the news that ESPN President John Skipper resigned as he battles a substance abuse addiction, an emotional Le Batard broke down in tears and could hardly read through Skipper’s statement.

“I care about him,” Le Batard said, adding, “Just so you understand, this person has created everything that exists here at ESPN, for us. And he did it because of how he cares about minorities and their causes. And so every success that we’ve had — I didn’t want to work for ESPN, I wanted to work for this man, okay.”

Le Batard said he is “shocked” and “scared” for his former boss, who he wants to “be OK.”

“I’m sorry I’m reacting this way,” he said. “I don’t know what damage I’m doing in reacting this way … but that’s straight talk.”

Le Batard was not alone in backing Skipper during what must be a difficult time for the longtime ESPN executive. Skipper has been with ESPN since 1997 and has been running the network for the last five years. Skipper piloted ESPN through a difficult last two years that included massive layoffs and a string of public embarrassments.

Current and former ESPN employees from Jemele Hill to Keith Olbermann lined up on social media with an outpouring of love and support for Skipper. Sarah Spain, the editor of espnW, credited Skipper’s desire to stand up for women in sports.

“John Skipper’s commitment to diversity & inclusion at ESPN has been not only inspiring, but comforting to those of us who want to believe things are headed