John Skipper

John Skipper, who during his four-decade-long media career has alternately served as storyteller and dealmaker, is the Executive Chairman of DAZN Group, overseeing the sports streaming service's global expansion, rights-acquisition strategy and corporate positioning. DAZN, which in Skipper's words endeavors to become "the Netflix of Sports," can currently be seen in nine countries across four continents, providing viewers with such content as boxing, mixed martial arts, soccer and baseball. Prior to joining DAZN in May 2018, John Skipper spent more than two decades with The Walt Disney Company. From 2012-2017, Skipper served as ESPN President and Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks, during which time he secured a series of long-term, multiplatform agreements with major rightsholders, including the NBA, MLB, the College Football Playoff, major college conferences, US Open tennis, and the Rose, Sugar and Orange Bowls. In 1997, John Skipper launched ESPN The Magazine and went on to hold a variety of leadership positions including Executive Vice President, Content prior to being named President. Diversity was a hallmark of Skipper's tenure at ESPN, changing the way the network looked both in front of and behind the camera. He is also an active philanthropist, serving on the boards of such organizations as the Institute for Sports and Social Justice, Glasswing (which creates safe communities for youngsters in several Central American countries) and Pacunam (a Mayan excavation project that will provide jobs and encourage tourism in the impoverished nation of Guatemala). Skipper began his career in publishing, rising to senior roles with Rolling Stone, US and Spin magazines. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in English Literature from the University of North Carolina and Columbia University, respectively. John Skipper lives in New York City.