WSOP nixes rumor of live ESPN Main Event broadcast

The World Series of Poker denied blog reports Tuesday that it was considering televising the Main Event final table live -- or "plausibly live" -- on ESPN.

"It is (just) a rumor," said Seth Palansky, communications director for the WSOP. "We're not going to stoke it."

"We're not shy," Palansky added. "If we have news to announce, we'll do it."

And even though the live final table is not going to happen, that doesn't mean the WSOP isn't looking at ways to improve.

"We are constantly in discussion about several ideas that are beneficial to the poker community," Palansky said. But any changes have to be "something we believe could have many benefits for poker as long as it keeps the integrity (of the game) intact and are not gimmicks."

"They have to be real ways to advance tournament poker," Palansky said. "We have a bigger responsibility to poker as a whole. We certainly want to be innovative. But we will be mindful of the tradition and not compromise it."