ESPN Removes Rachel Nichols from Coverage and Ends Her Show

Source: ESPN takes Rachel Nichols off NBA coverage and cancels her show (link)

Just days after Max Kellerman moved on from "First Take", another dramatic change in ESPN television has developed, and for a wholly different reason.

ESPN is now pulling reporter Rachel Nichols from its NBA coverage and canceling her show "The Jump," the network confirmed Wednesday. The decision follows backlash over leaked comments she made about her former colleague Maria Taylor, which notably caused controversy a couple of months ago.

"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," said David Roberts, ESPN's senior vice president of production.

In July, The New York Times first reported on the leaked audio. Nichols, who is White, said Taylor was only chosen to be the sideline reporter for last year's NBA Finals because she is Black. "If you need to give her more things to do because you're feeling pressure about your crappy longtime record on diversity - which, by the way, I myself know personally - like, go for it, just find it somewhere else," she said in the recording. Several days later, ESPN ended up benching Nichols from reporting on the sidelines of this year's NBA championship series. But she continued to cover the series on "The Jump" and later reported on this year's summer league tournament. Rachel later apologized for the comments on her show.

Last month, Taylor also parted ways with the network after both sides failed to agree on a contract extension.