"the lead for Xbox Communications, Kari Perez, has now denied that Phil Spencer is leaving the company. Perez uses the phrase "anytime soon", so this may not reflect Spencer's longer-term plans."

Uh-huh!

Litigated response 101, folks. "anytime soon" equals careful wording that was most likely coached by MS's lawyers; "I'm watching the game and I'm not leaving 'anytime soon' until half-time!"

"Anytime soon" could mean hours, days, weeks or even months... or cause of events (Xbox next quarterly profit margins, ect). The sin is in the details. MS refrain from stating how much fate it has Phil, Bond, ect. too... for the foreseeable future; because the wording would have been a lot more... uhm... pro-Phil & staff.

It seems like everyone at MS is walking on a pavement of eggshells now.