Longtime ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols has been removed from NBA coverage following racial controversy regarding a comment made about fellow colleague, Maria Taylor. The network also confirmed that they plan to pull Nichol’s weekday show “The Jump”.
Nichols has been with ESPN since 2004 and has hosted “The Jump” since 2016.
Nichols confirmed the news in a tweet.
Got to create a whole show and spend five years hanging out with some of my favorite people ❤️ talking about one my favorite things 🏀 An eternal thank you to our amazing producers & crew – The Jump was never built to last forever but it sure was fun. 😎
More to come… pic.twitter.com/FPMFRlfJin— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) August 25, 2021
ESPN’s Statement Following Nichol’s Removal
“We mutually agreed that this approach regarding our NBA coverage was best for all concerned. Rachel is an excellent reporter, host and journalist, and we thank her for her many contributions to our NBA content,” ESPN’s vice president of production said in a statement.
Nichol’s Comments Regarding Race
Leaked audio footage was captured of Nichols suggesting that Taylor received the assignment to cover the 2020 NBA Finals because she is Black. Later stating that the reason she got the job was because the network was trying to improve its diversity record. With no knowledge of the recording, her poor statement was then reported by the New York Times last month.
“If you need to give her more things to do because you are feeling pressure about your crappy longtime record on diversity . Which, by the way, I know personally from the female side of it — like, go for it,” Nichols said in audio published by the Times. “Just find it somewhere else. You are not going to find it from me or taking my thing away,” she added.
The Aftermath
After the report, Nichols had been benched from covering the 2021 NBA Finals. She then continued to host “The Jump” following her short break. When her comments surfaced, Nichols issued an apology to Taylor on air. Unfortunately, Taylor has since then left ESPN and joined NBC Sports.
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