Internet reports stating that WWE announcer Jonathan Coachman had signed a contract to join ESPN appear to be unfounded. Dave Nagle, a representative of ESPN, issued the following statement to SLAM! Sports to put an end to the rumors: "all I can say is that these 'rumors' are untrue...we do not have a signed deal. There is nothing more to say." Rumors regarding Coachman's departure began soon after Mick Foley replaced Coachman as the SmackDown color commentator at the Backlash pay-per-view two weeks ago. Internet reports started circulating and they said that Coachman had signed a contract with ESPN for an anchor position. PWInsider actually said they had confirmed the story which sparked the rumors and that obviously turned out to be false.

Also, Jim Ross posted a new blog on his website today and he's saying that Jonathan Coachman has not signed with ESPN, contrary to several online reports. Ross wrote: "Jonathan Coachman has not signed a contract with ESPN contrary to what may have been reported elsewhere. As I write this, Coach is still employed by the WWE and is still doing projects for the MSG Network. Will Coach eventually migrate to ESPN? Who knows, he would be a great fit there, but as of today he has not made any commitment to do so."