Ex-ESPN president John Skipper shades Fox World Cup coverage

Former ESPN president John Skipper admits it "stings" to have to flip on Fox to watch the World Cup.

Skipper's frustrations are justified on a personal level. The ex-ESPN president ushered the Worldwide Leader through coverage of three World Cups in 2006, 2010, and 2014, only to, in his estimation, lose the broadcast rights for subsequent tournaments due to a corrupt bidding process spearheaded by FIFA. Skipper would testify to that end in federal court, but the damage was already done. Fox kept broadcast rights for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, and was subsequently granted rights for the 2026 edition via a no-bid contract after FIFA was forced to move the 2022 tournament in Qatar out of its traditional summer window and into November and December to avoid the desert heat.