Although investors greeted the news with dismay - under Ball's four-year tenure Sky has doubled its subscribers to nearly seven million and doubled its revenues to £3.2bn - Ball has his detractors inside the Sky camp and is said to be difficult to work for.
There have been reports that Sky Networks managing director Dawn Airey has been unsettled by her working relationship with Ball and friends believe she will prosper within Sky after his exit.
Airey has been given the task of boosting Sky One's entertainment content - Sky's weakest link - to rival the terrestrial channels.
Ball's next move is unknown - his BSkyB contract contains a clause requiring him to be re-employed by News Corp if the contract is terminated.
A nominations committee under non-executive director Lord St John of Fawsley has been set up to appoint a successor.
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