John Skipper, president of the ESPN sports network, has resigned to treat a substance abuse problem.
Skipper's sudden announcement will force the Walt Disney-owned network to search for new leadership, with the company losing subscribers 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, has agreed to serve as acting head of the company for the next 90 days.
Disney chief executive Robert Iger said he wishes Skipper well during a challenging time. "I respect his candour and support his decision to focus on his health and his family," Iger said.
Earlier this year Skipper signed a contract extension to keep him at ESPN until 2021 and last week he spoke about the company's plans in New York at the Sports Video Group Summit.
Disney's proposed purchase of several of 21s Century Fox's assets, if approved, is likely to add the 22 Fox-owned regional sports networks to ESPN's portfolio.
ESPN is also not escaping the current focus on sexual misconduct.
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