ESPN Exec Chair GEORGE BODENHEIMER this morning announced he is leaving the company after 33 years at the end of the week. Bodenheimer served as ESPN President from '98-'12. A release from ESPN stated that he will focus his attention on raising money for The V Foundation (ESPN). Author James Andrew Miller, who co-wrote "Those Guys Have All The Fun," the verbal history of ESPN, wrote on his Twitter account, "From mail room to board room, quite the odyssey for a guy who shuns centerstage. ... Steve Bornstein was clearly Don Vito, but George Bodenheimer was combination of Luca Brasi & Tom Hagen." Bodenheimer's impending departure also drew responses on Twitter from a host of ESPN employees. Senior Dir of PR Keri Potts wrote, "Sad to see George Bodenheimer depart ESPN, but feel very lucky to have worked under his leadership. A rare leader: Humble, decisive, kind." VP/Communications Josh Krulewitz: "Integrity, respect & shifting spotlight to others were hallmarks of George Bodenheimer's leadership. Best of luck." Senior VP/Corporate Communications Chris LaPlaca: "George Bodenheimer, a 'gifted leader' and an even better guy, is leaving. No way to capture impact in 140." Senior Communications Dir Bill Hofheimer: "George Bodenheimer belongs on Mt Rushmore of ESPN." Business reporter Darren Rovell: "Will never forget the handwritten note when I came back."
