Westin, 58, has headed the news division since 1997. His e-mail went out as the NYT was reporting his resignation, painting it as the result of a “long-running conflict” with Disney execs over the news division’s finances. The rocky relations over finances are no secret and reports that Disney would be willing to sell keep cropping up despite repeated denials.

SEE ALSO: ABC News’ Westin: ‘We Can’t Afford To Have Silos Anymore’

But Westin also has faced criticism for anchor decisions, including George Stephanopoulos to Good Morning America and raiding CNN for Christiane Amanpour as the new host of This Week, as well as for not being able to leapfrog past NBC (NYSE: GE) News in the ratings. The cuts earlier this year—one-fourth of the staff or about 400 jobs, were supposed to put ABC News on a more stable financial footing while creating a slimmer structure centered more around programs than platforms. At the time, Westin and Disney execs insisted the cuts were his decision; he described the moves in an interview as something “mandated by the circumstances.”

Dave Davis, the exec once thought to be the most likely successor internally, left as EVP of ABC News this summer to return to WABC-TV as president and GM. If Sweeney stays inside for a successor, Paul Slavin, SVP of ABC News Digital since late 2007, could make a short list. But that’s a big “if”—as the LAT points out, Disney’s been on a streak lately when it comes to moving execs between divisions rather than promote from within. There’s also precedent for going to someone without a news background—Westin started at then- Capital Cities/ABC as general counsel.

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Westin E-Mail, Sept. 6, 2010

Dear Colleague,

A month ago I told Bob Iger and Anne Sweeney that the time has come for me to step down as President of ABC News.  Leading you has been a great privilege and a solemn responsibility—a responsibility that I tried to fulfill for over thirteen years by doing what I believed was best for this important news organization.  I will root for your continued success long after I am gone.

I’ve always admired those few who know when it’s time to move on. This is the right time for me.  Over the last nine months, we’ve put in place new anchors on all of our programs.  At the same time, we went through a very difficult transformation made necessary by changes in our business and its economics.  I am confident ABC News is better positioned for the future than it has been at any time since I came here in March of 1997.

As rewarding as I’ve found my time here, there are some other things I want to do professionally—things that I cannot explore while fulfilling my responsibilities here.  I’m announcing my decision now so that I can pursue those possibilities, something I couldn’t do in fairness to all of you until I’d told you of my plans to step down.  I have agreed to remain your leader through the end of the year to ensure that Anne has the time she needs to find the right successor and that there is an orderly transition.  So, I’m not going anywhere for the time being.  I will need your support during this interim period to make sure that we continue to move forward.

I have only the highest regard for the company of which we are a part, for its leadership, and – most important – for all of you.  I am rateful for your letting me be part of this great organization for so long.

David

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Sweeney E-Mail

From: Sweeney, Anne X.
Sent: Mon Sep 06 21:05:49 2010
Subject: David Westin’s Transition

For the past 13 years, David proved himself a tireless advocate for ABC News, effectively guiding the group through some of the most seismic industry, and divisional, changes imaginable.  During that time, he helped reinvent our News organization, and positioned us for great success going forward. While it will be sad to see David leave,his desire to pursue other professional endeavors is understandable, and commendable, and I know you’ll join me in wishing him nothing but the best. I’ll be announcing a new leader for ABC News in the near future.

Anne