ESPN president John Skipper resigns to treat substance abuse

John Skipper, president of the sprawling ESPN sports network, said Monday he is resigning to treat a substance abuse problem.

Skipper's sudden announcement will force the Walt Disney Co.-owned network to search for new leadership at a time of retrenchment, with the company losing subscribers because of cord-cutters and working to boost its digital output to follow the migration of young sports fans to their smartphones.

The 61-year-old executive, who has worked at ESPN since 1997 and has led the company since 2012, said he's struggled for many years with substance addiction but gave no details of his specific problem. He said he had concluded that now is the time to deal with it.

"I come to this public disclosure with embarrassment, trepidation and a feeling of having let others I care about down," he said. "As I deal with this issue and what it means to me and my family, I ask for appropriate privacy and a little understanding."

The sports network said Skipper's predecessor, George Bodenheimer, agreed to serve as acting head of the company for the next 90 days.

Scott Frost is the Associated Press coach of the year after leading Central Florida to an unbeaten season and a spot in the Peach Bowl.

Frost already accepted the Nebraska head coaching job, but plans to complete the season with UCF and coach the 10th-ranked Knights against No. 7 Auburn.

The Cubs' pursuit of a top-line starter took President Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer to Dallas on Monday to meet with free agent Yu Darvish, according to multiple reports.

Darvish, 31, is considered one of the top two starters on the market, along with Jake Arrieta, and is likely to command one of the biggest deals of the offseason.

The Cubs were interested in Darvish when he came over from Japan in 2012 but were outbid by the Rangers.

Darvish went 10-12 with a 3.86 ERA in 31 starts in 2017 with the Rangers and Dodgers but suffered through a dismal World Series in which he went 0-2 with a 21.60 ERA in two starts.

... First baseman Mitch Moreland is remaining with the Red Sox, agreeing to a $13 million, two-year contract. The 32-year-old lefthanded hitter batted .246 with 22 homers 79 RBI last year.