Jonathan Coachman Fires Back At ESPN Sexual Harassment Allegations, WWE Issues Statement

Jonathan Coachman’s new job with WWE is being threatened by allegations at his old one, and he has gone on the defensive.

The former ESPN anchor, who returned to WWE in January to once again be part of the Raw announce team, was referenced in the bombshell sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit against the cable sports network by former anchor and legal analyst Adrienne Lawrence. Coachman was accused of being part of the ESPN culture that promoted threatening treatment of Lawrence and other female employees.

He strongly denied those accusations in a series of tweets on Tuesday morning.

“I will address this only once because I am seething today. In 21 years of being a PROFESSIONAL I have never been more offended in my life …,” Coachman wrote on Twitter.

“To allow someone to spread vicious lies and flat out fabrications is not ok and it’s time someone stood up for themselves. @jemelehill addressed her lie [Monday] night. I am not a part of this lawsuit because I have never done anything wrong. My reputation speaks for itself and anyone that has ever worked with me will back that up.

“I am also offended that someone can dangerously throw peoples names into something for the clear attempt at getting headlines. This the only time I will address this because I am not a part of this lawsuit. My heart goes out to anyone falsely accused of anything. Trust me it doesn’t feel good. But most of you have been incredible and supportive. Onward and upward.”

Lawrence also had accused iconic ESPN NFL voice Chris Berman of leaving a “threatening and racially disparaging” voicemail on Hill’s work phone. Hill, as Coachman referenced, denied the thrust of those accusations, saying the incident was being misrepresented by Lawrence.

“I am also offended that someone can dangerously throw peoples names into something for the clear attempt at getting headlines,” Coachman continued. “This is the only time I will address this because I am not a part of this lawsuit. My heart goes out to anyone falsely accused of anything. Trust me it doesn’t feel good. But most of you have been incredible and supportive. Onward and upward.”

I will address this only once because I am seething today. In 21 years of being a PROFESSIONAL I have never been more offended in my life. I my 9 years I can count on one hand the amount of times I interacted with anyone other than a co-anchor. To allow someone to spread vicious https://t.co/4NYsZjK2C6

— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachrules) March 6, 2018

Lies and flat out fabrications is not ok and it’s time someone stood up for themselves. @jemelehill addressed her lie last night. I am not a part of this lawsuit because I have never done anything wrong. My reputation speaks for itself and anyone that has ever worked with me https://t.co/4NYsZjK2C6

— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachrules) March 6, 2018

Will back that up. I am also offended that someone can dangerously throw peoples names into something for the clear attempt at getting headlines. This the only time I will address this because I am not a part of this lawsuit. My heart goes out to anyone falsely accused of https://t.co/4NYsZjK2C6

— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachrules) March 6, 2018

Anything. Trust me it doesn’t feel good. But most of you have been incredible and supportive. Onward and upward. https://t.co/4NYsZjK2C6

— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachrules) March 6, 2018

Lawrence claimed Coachman used the “ESPN predators’ playbook” to instigate a personal relationship under the guise of mentorship. The suit claims it was part of a pattern from the 42-year-old, who parted ways with ESPN last year via layoff. Lawrence says she was warned by others that Coachman was one of the men at ESPN who was notorious for sexual harassment.

WWE said it was looking into the situation.

“We take these matters very seriously and are investigating,” WWE said in a statement released to multiple news outlets.