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Skipper, who took over as president of the sports network in 2012, said in the statement he has battled substance abuse issues for "many years" and decided "the most important thing I can do right now is to take care of my problem."
"I come to this public disclosure with embarrassment, trepidation and a feeling of having let others I care about down," he said in a statement. "As I deal with this issue and what it means to me and my family, I ask for appropriate privacy and a little understanding."
ESPN is one of the most coveted places for sports journalists, and its sheer size gives more opportunities to women than many other outlets. But over the years, the company has been plagued by sexual misconduct scandals that have resulted in several lawsuits and filled the pages of at least two books, “ESPN: The Uncensored History,” and “Those Guys Have All the Fun.” Many employees have said the isolated location in Bristol only exacerbates problems in a male-dominated workplace.
...
But others are speaking openly. In her complaint, Adrienne Lawrence describes a toxic environment at ESPN headquarters where men make unwanted sexual and romantic advances under the guise of networking or mentoring, and “mark” women as their own by spreading false rumors about sexual relationships with female employees.
Lawrence accused John Buccigross, a longtime SportsCenter anchor whom she viewed as a mentor, of sending unsolicited shirtless photographs of himself and calling her “dollface,” “#dreamgirl,” and “#longlegs” in messages from 2016 reviewed by the Globe. Lawrence said she tried to remain cordial in the messages but at one point responded: “You need to wear clothes, sir.”
This past year has been tough for ESPN. This behavior can only last for a time until people just can't take it anymore.
Skipper, who took over as president of the sports network in 2012, said in the statement he has battled substance abuse issues for "many years" and decided "the most important thing I can do right now is to take care of my problem."
"I come to this public disclosure with embarrassment, trepidation and a feeling of having let others I care about down," he said in a statement. "As I deal with this issue and what it means to me and my family, I ask for appropriate privacy and a little understanding."
ESPN is one of the most coveted places for sports journalists, and its sheer size gives more opportunities to women than many other outlets. But over the years, the company has been plagued by sexual misconduct scandals that have resulted in several lawsuits and filled the pages of at least two books, “ESPN: The Uncensored History,” and “Those Guys Have All the Fun.” Many employees have said the isolated location in Bristol only exacerbates problems in a male-dominated workplace.
...
But others are speaking openly. In her complaint, Adrienne Lawrence describes a toxic environment at ESPN headquarters where men make unwanted sexual and romantic advances under the guise of networking or mentoring, and “mark” women as their own by spreading false rumors about sexual relationships with female employees.
Lawrence accused John Buccigross, a longtime SportsCenter anchor whom she viewed as a mentor, of sending unsolicited shirtless photographs of himself and calling her “dollface,” “#dreamgirl,” and “#longlegs” in messages from 2016 reviewed by the Globe. Lawrence said she tried to remain cordial in the messages but at one point responded: “You need to wear clothes, sir.”
This past year has been tough for ESPN. This behavior can only last for a time until people just can't take it anymore.
Can't take that an executive did drugs, and acknowledged having a problem? I think it's great that he's getting help.
The Boston Globe story is unfortunately all too common at companies all around the country. You combine that with being around former athletes, all that testosterone, in the middle of nowhere, and yea, that might be a tough place for women to work.
If any male employees are found to have done something wrong, they will need to go, and ESPN needs to be very careful with how they fix the problem.
That being said, ESPN's ratings decline is mostly due to cable's decline, and I highly doubt many (if any) sports fans will stop watching because an executive couldn't control his coke habit.
Can't take that an executive did drugs, and acknowledged having a problem? I think it's great that he's getting help.
The Boston Globe story is unfortunately all too common at companies all around the country. You combine that with being around former athletes, all that testosterone, in the middle of nowhere, and yea, that might be a tough place for women to work.
If any male employees are found to have done something wrong, they will need to go, and ESPN needs to be very careful with how they fix the problem.
That being said, ESPN's ratings decline is mostly due to cable's decline, and I highly doubt many (if any) sports fans will stop watching because an executive couldn't control his coke habit.
It's great when anyone tries to help themselves.
I just wonder if he contributed to the environment.
I just wonder if he contributed to the environment.
Absent of proof, I can't support dragging ESPN's "astmosphere" which appears to be pretty much everywhere in media including PBS as somehow being something he contributed to because he has an addiction.
I mean, the guys got a tough issue. Unless we have proof of harassment etc. coming from him as well, I don't feel we should imply or assert guilt of that just because of the other issue.
Absent of proof, I can't support dragging ESPN's "astmosphere" which appears to be pretty much everywhere in media including PBS as somehow being something he contributed to because he has an addiction.
I mean, the guys got a tough issue. Unless we have proof of harassment etc. coming from him as well, I don't feel we should imply or assert guilt of that just because of the other issue.
Not guilt... but is it a possibility...?
And I am not saying he is a harasser.
-----------------------------
One other thing to clean up - the Boston Globe put out an article I posted above about Buccigross being the subject of a complaint... now it seems to be questionable as ESPN has released texts of their conversation. The text is at the link.
In a decision that is guaranteed to be polarizing, ESPN opted to post a lengthy text exchange between John Buccigross and Adrienne Lawrence. As the Boston Globe detailed on Wednesday, Lawrence filed a complaint with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities after she was not retained by ESPN following a fellowship.
...
After publication of the Globe piece, ESPN issued a statement on Lawrence that said, “We conducted a thorough investigation and found these claims to be entirely without merit.
Skipper, who took over as president of the sports network in 2012, said in the statement he has battled substance abuse issues for "many years" and decided "the most important thing I can do right now is to take care of my problem."
"I come to this public disclosure with embarrassment, trepidation and a feeling of having let others I care about down," he said in a statement. "As I deal with this issue and what it means to me and my family, I ask for appropriate privacy and a little understanding."
ESPN is one of the most coveted places for sports journalists, and its sheer size gives more opportunities to women than many other outlets. But over the years, the company has been plagued by sexual misconduct scandals that have resulted in several lawsuits and filled the pages of at least two books, “ESPN: The Uncensored History,” and “Those Guys Have All the Fun.” Many employees have said the isolated location in Bristol only exacerbates problems in a male-dominated workplace.
...
But others are speaking openly. In her complaint, Adrienne Lawrence describes a toxic environment at ESPN headquarters where men make unwanted sexual and romantic advances under the guise of networking or mentoring, and “mark” women as their own by spreading false rumors about sexual relationships with female employees.
Lawrence accused John Buccigross, a longtime SportsCenter anchor whom she viewed as a mentor, of sending unsolicited shirtless photographs of himself and calling her “dollface,” “#dreamgirl,” and “#longlegs” in messages from 2016 reviewed by the Globe. Lawrence said she tried to remain cordial in the messages but at one point responded: “You need to wear clothes, sir.”
This past year has been tough for ESPN. This behavior can only last for a time until people just can't take it anymore.
Isn't ESPN the right hand of the NFL commissioner? I wonder when Roger is going down...
What would you expect when ex-meatheads who have been never been told "no" are released into the wild? Just because they now wear a suit and tie does not make them gentlemen. They are still the same bullies.
Can't take that an executive did drugs, and acknowledged having a problem? I think it's great that he's getting help.
The Boston Globe story is unfortunately all too common at companies all around the country. You combine that with being around former athletes, all that testosterone, in the middle of nowhere, and yea, that might be a tough place for women to work.
If any male employees are found to have done something wrong, they will need to go, and ESPN needs to be very careful with how they fix the problem.
That being said, ESPN's ratings decline is mostly due to cable's decline, and I highly doubt many (if any) sports fans will stop watching because an executive couldn't control his coke habit.
Yep this. Nor does a change in locker room talk culture Either it is too much or they aren't men anymore...
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