John Skipper Reveals . . .

[Azrael]

. . . the cocaine extortion plot that cost him his job.

John Skipper Details His ESPN Exit and a Cocaine Extortion Plot

What a strange story.

 

[playthrough]

Very strange. But good work by Miller in that interview.

 

[CD Boogie]

Very strange. But good work by Miller in that interview.

The followup needs to be done by somebody who has some familiarity with the drug and its impact on people's lives. I was taken aback by the comment that it didn't affect his work...except for some missed morning meetings. Um, so it is affecting your job. The dude is 62 years old and he's still partying? And with strangers? Keith Richards is impressed.

 

[JC]

The followup needs to be done by somebody who has some familiarity with the drug and its impact on people's lives. I was taken aback by the comment that it didn't affect his work...except for some missed morning meetings. Um, so it is affecting your job. The dude is 62 years old and he's still partying? And with strangers? Keith Richards is impressed.

Some people are capable of casual cocaine use, a lot aren't. I don't think it's as uncommon as you may think.

 

[CD Boogie]

Some people are capable of casual cocaine use, a lot aren't. I don't think it's as uncommon as you may think.

I'd argue if you're buying from a stranger, it ain't casual. Casual is taking it if it's given to you. Hunting it down and procuring from an unknown strikes me as active user. Just my impression.

 

[JC]

I'd argue if you're buying from a stranger, it ain't casual. Casual is taking it if it's given to you. Hunting it down and procuring from an unknown strikes me as active user. Just my impression.

That's a good point.

 

[Songbird]

I'd argue if you're buying from a stranger, it ain't casual. Casual is taking it if it's given to you. Hunting it down and procuring from an unknown strikes me as active user. Just my impression.

Let me tell you some stories ...

Len Bias scared me straight as a 14-year-old. Never considered touching it.

Then I tried it at 30 and ... there is nothing better in this world. Nothing comes close. Not even sex.

But there's a downside lol and that downside is you never quit. Instead, you just keep going and hope to never turn around.

Sounds like John Skipper and I would enjoy the same kind of parties.

 

[lcjjdnh]

1) Must have been a pretty serious issue if he affirmatively concluded he was not interested in fentanyl. I mean, I haven't done it either, but I also never really put much thought into it. Just seemed like a weird thing to bring up.

B) Some of the questions were worded rather awkwardly, but I suppose it worked and perhaps reflects it being a pre-arranged or choreographed interview?

 

[Songbird]

perhaps reflects it being a pre-arranged or choreographed interview?

The questions were too choreographed as were the answers, even moreso.

 

[TigerVols]

The questions were too choreographed as were the answers, even moreso.

Something doesn't add up, no?

 

[DanOregon]

Well I figured they talked about what they were going to talk about.

Figure a guy with Skipper's connection would have had a cut-out for his deals. Someone who used and shared and not have to deal directly with a dealer.

 

[tapintoamerica]

Conservative hero Clay Travis tweets that Skipper is "lying." I hope Skipper sues Travis into bankruptcy. He won't. Discovery etc. But I'd love it.

 

[DanOregon]

Well, Travis' company is already there.....

Radio giant iHeartMedia files for bankruptcy

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

Here’s the only question I have about this: could ESPN fire Skipper for drug use? Maybe the US is different. Here, you’d probably have to offer some kind of counseling.

If not his first offence, I’d understand. The possibility of police involvement might change things, too, I guess. But I know some workplaces where this would not be a firable offence if it was the first time the company became aware

 

[wicked]

The optics of firing someone whose addiction issues are new to the public would be bad. I’m sure his contract gave ESPN the flexibility to do so, though.

And sure, he should sue Travis. The second Travis gets deposed, he’ll be crapping his pants.

 

[Songbird]

The funny thing is ... who is the coke dealer who would know who John Skipper is?

 

[LanceyHoward]

Here’s the only question I have about this: could ESPN fire Skipper for drug use? Maybe the US is different. Here, you’d probably have to offer some kind of counseling.

If not his first offence, I’d understand. The possibility of police involvement might change things, too, I guess. But I know some workplaces where this would not be a firable offence if it was the first time the company became aware

The U.S. is basically a fire at will country. There are very few legal protections for employees. Perhaps a union contract would offer protection but there are very few legal protections for employees. I have worked outside the United States and citizens of other countries are shocked at the absence of such protections when they are exposed to the U.S. labor code. For example, if you are laid off in virtually any country in the world you will receive a government mandated severance fom the employer but not in the U.S.

 

[Webster]

It depends on his contract. I’m sure he had a well negotiated cause definition. While illegal drug use is often a cause event, they may have agreed to something whereby he had to be charged with a crime in order to trigger that provision.

However, engaging in activities which would bring the employer into material disrepute is often a cause event and the blackmail plot could fit into that bucket.

Basically, it looks like they agreed that he would jump before Disney figured out if they could push him.

 

[Songbird]

Also, HOW did the coke dealer come to find out Skipper's identity? Did he run out of cash and swipe his credit card in the dealer's square? Did they do lines together and get to talking and Skipper told him who he was? Did the dealer write down Skipper's license plate number and research from there? I would have enjoyed the interview much more had it included that info considering Skipper was so open and honest and all ...

 

[CD Boogie]

Also, HOW did the coke dealer come to find out Skipper's identity? Did he run out of cash and swipe his credit card in the dealer's square? Did they do lines together and get to talking and Skipper told him who he was? Did the dealer write down Skipper's license plate number and research from there? I would have enjoyed the interview much more had it included that info considering Skipper was so open and honest and all ...

I’m betting the coke dealer was Dave Portnoy and that’s why Barstool Van Talk was cancelled after only one show