ESPN benches Rachel Nichols from NBA Finals sideline duties
Rachel Nichols won’t work as the NBA Finals sideline reporter amid tensions with fellow network personality Maria Taylor, ESPN announced Tuesday.
Malika Andrews will replace Nichols as the sideline reporter during the finals, which begin Tuesday night when the Milwaukee Bucks meet the Suns in Phoenix. Sister network ABC will air the game.
New twist on Maria Taylor story .She may leave before NBA finals are over . As Maria Taylor, ESPN failed to reach over ‘Stephen A. Smith money’ after ESPN’s $3 million offer to Maria Taylor
Taylor’s current contract endson July 20, which is the date of a potential Game 6 of the NBA Finals. If a new agreement isn’t reached, it is unclear right now what ESPN and Taylor would do if the Suns-Bucks series extends.
During the dark times I always remember that I am in this position to open doors and light the path that others walk down. I’ve taken some punches but that just means I’m still in the fight. Remember to lift as you climb and always KEEP RISING ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ztSIx9CLpO
— Maria Taylor (@MariaTaylor) July 7, 2021
Maria Taylor F..U moments .. Maria Taylor really enjoyed introducing Malika Andrews amid Rachel Nichols ESPN drama
Maria Taylor welcomes Malika Andrews to the 2021 NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/iLIwu8cydt
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) July 7, 2021
“We believe this is best decision for all concerned in order to keep the focus on the NBA Finals,” ESPN said in a statement. “Rachel will continue to host ‘The Jump.'”
A New York Times story published Sunday shared videotaped remarks Nichols made about Taylor a year ago. The comments came after Taylor, who is Black, was chosen as the host of the network’s “NBA Countdown” show as the season resumed in the NBA bubble. Nichols is White and apparently expected to fill the role.
A video showing the ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols making disparaging comments about the selection of Maria Taylor for a key job has caused substantial damage at the network the past year. @kevinmdraper on the video and its fallout: https://t.co/jo5XQAZiAF
— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) July 4, 2021
Nichols reportedly wasn’t aware she was being filmed when she said the following:
“I wish Maria Taylor all the success in the world — she covers football, she covers basketball,” Nichols said while speaking to Adam Mendelsohn, a longtime adviser of LeBron James. “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 flames ESPN in Leaked Audio about Maria Taylor!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-AvmGceWhk
“Just find it somewhere else. You are not going to find it from me or taking my thing away.”
Nichols apologized to Taylor and the network on Monday’s episode of “The Jump.” Nichols has hosted that show since 2016. She returned to the network that year after working for ESPN from 2004-13.
Taylor’s contract expires this month, and she and ESPN reportedly aren’t close to an agreement with the rising network star.
Malika Andrews will replace Rachel Nichols as sideline reporter for the NBA Finals.
Andrews has been named to Forbes “30 Under 30” list in the sports industry and was ESPN’s youngest-ever sideline reporter during a game last season.
Malika Andrews will replace Rachel Nichols as sideline reporter for the NBA Finals.
Andrews has been named to Forbes “30 Under 30” list in the sports industry and was ESPN’s youngest-ever sideline reporter during a game last season. pic.twitter.com/ugzHf3x1Z9
— Boardroom (@boardroom) July 6, 2021