FORMER PRESIDENT OF ESPN SAYS HE RESIGNED BECAUSE OF EXTORTION PLOT
The former president LOS ANGELES of ESPN said he resigned from the sports network after an extortion plot by someone who sold him cocaine.
John Skipper told the Hollywood Reporter in an interview published Thursday that the drug seller, whom he did not name, tried to extort him in December. He said he hadn’t had dealings with the seller before, and previously had been “careful” about buying cocaine.
“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,” Skipper said.
He said he discussed the situation with Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger on Dec. 15, 2017, and they agreed that Skipper “had placed the company in an untenable position.” He resigned on Dec. 18 after leading ESPN since 2012, saying he was going to seek treatment for a substance abuse problem.
“My drug use never had any professional repercussions, but I still have profound regret,” Skipper 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.”
Stenson bounces back, leads Bay Hill.
ORLANDO, FLA.
» Henrik Stenson had a hot putter, a quiet crowd and a one- shot lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
One week after Stenson returned from a month off and spent two days with Tiger Woods and his raucous crowds, he made birdies on half the holes at Bay Hill for an 8- under 64.
• Karine Icher and Chella Choi each shot a 5- under 67 in chilly and windy conditions to share the firstround lead at the LPGA Tour’s Founders Cup.
Kasatkina routs Kerber.
» Daria Kasatkina kept her focus for all of 58 minutes.
That’s how long it took to dispatch former No. 1- ranked Angelique Kerber 6- 0, 6- 2 in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
The 20- year- old Russian hasn’t dropped a set in four matches at Indian Wells, knocking out U. S. Open champion Sloane Stephens and No. 2- ranked Caroline Wozniacki along the way.
Chicago out of World Cup bidding.
Chicago, the home of the NEW YORK
U. S. Soccer Federation, and Minneapolis dropped out of the North American bid to host the 2026 men’s World Cup because of what city officials said were burdensome financial demands by FIFA.
Twenty- three cities, including 17 in the United States, were chosen to be included in bid documents to be submitted to FIFA on Friday.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first with a 48- nation field, and if chosen the North American bid intends to ask FIFA to choose 16 venues for the tournament.
Big3 has new commissioner.
» Hall of Fame basketball player Clyde Drexler is the new commissioner of the Big3 league.
Drexler coached a team last year in the inaugural season of Ice Cube’s 3- on- 3 league of former NBA players. Drexler signed a three- year contract as commissioner.
Footnotes.
Augie Garrido, who coached a total of five College World Series title teams at Cal State Fullerton and Texas and ranks No. 1 in career victories in college baseball history, died Thursday at age 79. Garrido had recently been hospitalized in California because of a stroke. … Two members of the University of Denver hockey team were honored by the National Collegiate Hockey Conference with awards. Henrik Borgstrom was named NCHC player of the year and NCHC forward of the year. Tanner Jaillet was named NCHC goalie of the year for the second consecutive season.