John Skipper

Date of Birth: December 19, 1955

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Biography

John Skipper is an American business executive known for his transformative role in the sports media industry. Born and raised in Lexington, North Carolina, Skipper attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in English Literature. He later attended Columbia University, receiving a master’s degree in the same field. Skipper’s career began in the publishing industry, working for Rolling Stone and US Weekly before joining ESPN in 1997. Over the years, he climbed the ranks, eventually serving as President of ESPN from 2012 to 2017. Under his leadership, ESPN expanded its digital presence and secured long-term broadcasting rights for major sports leagues. In 2018, Skipper became the Executive Chairman of DAZN Group, a global sports streaming platform, further cementing his influence in the sports media landscape.

5 Interesting Facts about John Skipper

1. John Skipper was instrumental in launching ESPN’s streaming service, ESPN+.

2. He negotiated multi-billion dollar deals with the NFL, NBA, and MLB during his tenure at ESPN.

3. Skipper left ESPN in 2017 citing substance abuse issues but quickly rebounded in his career by joining DAZN Group.

4. He played a key role in the acquisition of FiveThirtyEight, a data journalism website, by ESPN.

5. Skipper is known for his advocacy of diversity and inclusion within the sports media industry.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Skipper

1. “The future of sports is not just in watching games, but in engaging with content in a more interactive way.”

2. “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”

3. “In the rapidly changing world of media, adaptability and innovation are key.”

4. “Transparency and honesty are vital for both personal and professional growth.”

5. “Diversity is not just a moral imperative; it’s a business imperative.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

John Skipper’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $20 million.

Children

John Skipper has two sons, Nicholas and Clay Skipper. Both have pursued their own careers outside of their father’s shadow, with Nicholas working in finance and Clay as a writer and journalist.