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By Joe Reedy
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) – ESPN cancels Rachel Nichols’ show, “The jump,” and remove her from NBA lineup.
David Roberts, who was appointed last week to oversee the network’s NBA coverage, said in a statement that “We mutually agreed that this approach to our NBA coverage was the best for everyone involved.”
“Rachel is an excellent reporter, host and journalist, and we thank her for her many contributions to our NBA content,” said Roberts.
Nichols also confirmed the move on his Instagram page. Sports Business Journal was the first to report this.
Nichols posted: “I have to put on a whole show and spend five years spending time with some of my favorite people talking about one of my favorite things. Eternal thanks to our amazing producers and team – ‘The Jump’ was never meant to last forever, but it was really fun. More soon …”
ESPN will offer a new daily NBA show that airs before the regular season begins in October. Roberts will also be responsible for redesigning and finding a host for the network. “NBA Countdown” with the departure of Maria Taylor for NBC.
Nichols, who has over a year on his contract, has been an integral part of ESPN’s NBA coverage since his return to the network in 2016. “The jump” started in February of that year and went from being broadcast only during the season to broadcast almost all year round. She has also been a lineman for most of ESPN’s top domestic games this season.
Nichols was criticized, however, after a July 4 New York Times report, detailed critical comments she made about Taylor.
Nichols, who is white, made the comments last year when she learned that Taylor, who is black, would be running the network’s studio show for her when the league reboots at Walt Disney World.
In a phone conversation that was accidentally recorded and obtained by the newspaper, Nichols said: “I wish Maria Taylor all the best in the world – she covers football, she covers basketball. If you need to give her more to do because you’re feeling the pressure from your long-standing diversity record – which, by the way, I know personally on the female side – go for it. You just have to find it elsewhere. You’re not going to find it at my house or take my stuff away.
The Times reported that the show’s crew were angry with Nichols, who apologized by arranging “The jump” the 5 of July. The report also came less than three weeks before Taylor’s contract with ESPN expired and after she rejected an extension.
ESPN replaced Nichols with Malika Andrews as secondary reporter for the NBA Finals in the wake of the report. Andrews, 26, who hosted “The jump” last week while Nichols was on vacation, is expected to play a leading role in network coverage.
Nichols continued to host “The jump” on site during the final. She was also on site during the recently concluded NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
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