ESPN Executive on Deadspin's Influence: 'We Publish Less Memos Internally'

How has Deadspin affected life for people at the Worldwide Leader in Sports? Today at the ESPN media workshop, John Walsh, an executive vice president and executive editor at ESPN, was asked that question.

"We publish less memos internally," Walsh said. "They put everybody on notice in the company that they're out to get ESPN and everyone who works here."

Walsh was referring to Deadspin's habit of obtaining and publishing ESPN memos, and I should add that I think Walsh was at least partly joking -- he's probably not quite as paranoid about Deadspin as that quote makes him sound.

And my own unscientific poll of various ESPN types indicates that the attitude in Bristol is mostly pro-Deadspin. Columnist Jemele Hill says she reads Deadspin regularly (she also reads The Big Lead, but insists that her salary falls far short of what The Big Lead says it is). ESPN the Magazine writer LZ Granderson likes Deadspin, too. And although they say so in hushed tones, just about everyone at ESPN will acknowledge that Deadspin is well written.

Note: Buster Olney seems to think all bloggers are vitriolic fans of either the Red Sox or the Yankees. I happen to know at least one blogger is a fan of the Cardinals, and he's more sarcastic than vitriolic.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-30-2007 @ 6:15PM

7VICK4LIFE7 said...

i Hate DEADSPIN there commenters are s0 stuppid and you do'nt find Reasoned & nuannced discusion about IMPORTANT ISSUES their like you do here~!!!111 i will PRAY For Mr. Lietch to find GOD and stop bein such a HATER all tha time!!!

8-30-2007 @ 6:55PM

Joel said...

Comment number 1 HAS to be a Deadspin commenter. Though the post doesn't end with ...affirmed.

8-30-2007 @ 7:23PM

jon said...

If Jemele Hill makes more than a dollar then she is overpaid..Thank god for the old Affirmative Action

8-31-2007 @ 10:39AM

Lookatme said...

LEATHER MONDAY HUGH!!!!

8-31-2007 @ 10:40AM

Chad Sexington said...

You all need to check yourselves, before you wreck yourselves.

8-31-2007 @ 11:56AM

GorgeForeman said...

Dead-spin?

8-31-2007 @ 10:50AM

Supermike said...

I agree with 7VICK4LIFE7.

8-31-2007 @ 10:51AM

Matt Sussman said...

So if we make fun of ESPN's Around The Horn panelists, will they soon have fewer of those?

8-31-2007 @ 10:56AM

tatumfor3 said...

8th!

8-31-2007 @ 11:07AM

hardawayhatesyou said...

Why does Leitch always look scared in pictures?

8-31-2007 @ 11:15AM

the REAL supermike said...

AY! Imposter!

This is the REAL Supermike4ever! Soon to be returning to the Deadspin comments section... in September - stay tuned.

I'd just like to point out that - not only do I NOT agree with 7VICK4LIFE7 - but I, Supermike, do not pray to any God other than the one in the mirror.

STOP IMPERSONATING ME!