ESPN, the network that many allege has a liberal agenda, sees an agenda at work in stoking the “Robert Lee” backlash.

After broadcaster Robert Lee was taken off a University of Virginia football game in Charlottesville, there has been a swift outcry against the Worldwide Leader for perceived over-the-top political correctness.

ESPN president John Skipper, in an internal memo, placed the blame not on Bristol, but on a reporter with an ESPN ax to grind.

“I’m disappointed that the good intentions of our Charlotte colleagues have been intentionally hijacked by someone with a personal agenda, and sincerely appreciate Robert’s personal input and professionalism throughout this episode,” Skipper said in the memo, as reported by Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand.

That “someone” appears to be Clay Travis. The Fox Sports radio host and frequent ESPN basher broke the news on Outkick the Coverage, where he didn’t bother with subtlety: The story refers to the network as “MSESPN” and, in apparently highlighting the absurdity of the move, described the broadcaster Lee as Asian seven times in 10 paragraphs.

Travis has since made the media rounds, appearing on Fox’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight” on Wednesday to say ESPN isn’t “trustworthy,” is “left-leaning” and “lies a lot.”

Skipper, in stating the network’s defense, said the broadcaster was taken off the game for his own protection. Charlottesville has seen clashes this month between white nationalists and counter-protesters over plans to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in the city.

“Given the amount of media attention being generated by one of the countless, routine decisions our local production teams make every day, I wanted to make sure you have the facts,” Skipper wrote. “There was never any concern — by anyone, at any level — that Robert Lee’s name would offend anyone watching the Charlottesville game.

“Among our Charlotte production staff there was a question as to whether — in these divisive times — Robert’s assignment might create a distraction, or even worse, expose him to social hectoring and trolling. Since Robert was their primary concern, they consulted with him directly. He expressed some personal trepidation about the assignment and, when offered the chance to do the Youngstown State/Pitt game instead, opted for that game — in part because he lives in Albany and would be able to get home to his family on Saturday evening.”