Many thanks to Deadspin’s John Koblin for the publicity.

His post on ESPN reprimanding Jason Whitlock included a few shots at me.

Useless Ed Sherman, ESPN PR’s favorite media reporter, didn’t like what he’d heard from Whitlock, and he rang up the Worldwide Leader to get its thoughts on the matter. ESPN apparently agreed with Sherman. The statement reads: “We have discussed Jason’s comments with him. They were personal in nature, they do not represent ESPN and they are not acceptable based on the standards we have set.”

No surprise here, as Sherman would write.

OK, here’s the deal. Deadspin generally likes Whitlock. He’s done long interviews with Deadspin. Whitlock also has praised Deadspin many times, including during an interview on the first Olbermann show.

On the other hand, I have had the audacity to criticize Deadspin, namely on its coverage of the Manti T’eo story. Actually, I praised the reporting, especially how they used social media to undercover the sordid tale.

However, I knocked them for going with an “80-percent sure” quote from a source saying T’eo was in on the fake girlfriend thing. I hardly was alone in making that point.

Deadspin, though, took offense at that view and a few other things I’ve written. As a result, I now get labeled “useless” and ESPN’s PR guy.

I’m sure Koblin also heard from many ESPN staffers yesterday who were upset about Whitlock’s comments, calling them a double standard given the network’s policy. The resulting statement wasn’t about me making a call to Bristol. It was to quell the internal fire within Bristol, and to remind all, including Whitlock, that there are guidelines in place about these matters.

But if Koblin wants to make me a focus in his post, that’s great. Best publicity I’ve gotten in a long time.