ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols has been removed from her role as a sideline reporter for the NBA Finals. This move comes after the longtime host was caught criticizing colleague the network’s decision to use Maria Taylor during the finals.
ESPN has taken Rachel Nichols off the NBA Finals sideline, the network announced.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) July 6, 2021
[SideAction-ad-group]
Rachel Nichols has been under heavy scrutiny after a leaked phone call revealed her comments about ESPN and Maria Taylor.
“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,” Rachel Nichols was caught saying about Maria Taylor. “Just find it somewhere else. You are not going to find it from me or taking my thing away.”
“I just want them to go somewhere else — it’s in my contract, by the way; this job is in my contract in writing,” she added.
Video Leaked Of ESPN's Rachel Nichols Making Disparaging Comments About Fellow Host Maria Taylorhttps://t.co/YYyUNCYfHg
— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) July 4, 2021
ESPN sent out a statement on their decision to remove Rachel Nichols from her NBA Finals role. She will be replaced with Malika Andrews.
“We believe this is the best decision for all concerned in order to keep the focus on the NBA Finals,” ESPN said in a statement via The New York Post.
Rachel Nichols will continue her job hosting the daily talk show “The Jump”.
Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!
🔥 Hot from Side Action 🔥
- Lala Anthony Blames Knicks for the ‘Demise of their Relationship’
- Ja Morant Being Linked to Singer Lotto’s Sister Brooklyn
- Rumor: Instagram Model ‘Ayyyejae’ Connected to Phoenix Suns Is Now Pregnant by NBA Player
- Rumor: Jalen Rose Spotted With New Girlfriend Angela Rye
- Spurs Josh Richardson is Dating Former America’s Next Top Model Runner-Up Tatiana Elizabeth