ESPN’s Malika Andrews Will Replace Rachel Nichols for NBA Finals Coverage
Following backlash amidst Rachel Nichols’ comments about Maria Taylor, ESPN has appointed Malika Andrews as the sideline reporter for its coverage of the NBA Finals, which will kick off tonight between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns.
Andrews will take over Nichols’ position. Nichols has been ESPN’s primary sideline reporter for years and was originally scheduled to cover this year, until her private conversation was leaked.
“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. “Rachel will continue to host The Jump [her daily NBA show on ESPN 2].”
RELATED: UPDATE: Rachel Nichols Apologizes To Maria Taylor Amid ESPN Recording Scandal
As we reported, Nichols ranted on how she was approached by ESPN officials to do sideline reporting instead of hosting during the Finals and shared the work with Maria Taylor. She denied the offer because she knew that Taylor would be given more opportunities to do hosting duties full-time and it would jeopardize her career. She also noted that the company made that decision to prove how diverse they are.
“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. Just find it somewhere else. You are not going to find it from me or taking my thing away.”
Nichols later apologized.
Rachel Nichols opening comments on Monday’s live episode of “The Jump”: pic.twitter.com/VpI826k0pp
— Meg Turner (@megnturner_) July 5, 2021