Update (July 6, 2021): ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols has been pulled from reporting during the NBA Finals after it was revealed she referred to her Black colleague Maria Taylor as a diversity initiative. 

The network announced its decision on Tuesday, saying "this is the best decision for all concerned in order to keep the focus on the NBA Finals," the New York Post reported.

Malika Andrews will replace Nichols as ABC's sideline reporter.

Last year, Nichols, who is white, said sports reporter and colleague Taylor was only hired because of pressure ESPN felt about diversity. 

“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 said of Taylor.

Footage of her remarks circulated among employees at ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, The New York Times reported. 

She later apologized for her comments, saying she valued her colleagues and "deeply sorry I am for disappointing those I hurt — particularly Maria Taylor"

Original (July 6, 2021): After being embroiled in a recent controversy, broadcaster Rachel Nichols apologized on-air for calling her fellow ESPN colleague Maria Taylor a “diversity hire.”

In a leaked audio clip from May 2020, Nichols can be heard complaining about Taylor’s selection as host of ESPN's NBA Finals coverage in Florida last year. She alluded to the decision being made because of the network’s lack of diversity and not based on Taylor’s credentials as a journalist, the New York Times reported. Nichols, who was speaking to Adam Mendelsohn, the longtime adviser of the Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, wasn’t aware that the camera was recording the conversation.

“I wish Maria Taylor all the success in the world — she covers football, she covers basketball,” Nichols said in the recording. “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.”

The revelation of Nichols’ comments came to light while Taylor, whose contract expires in July, is currently negotiating a new deal with the sports network. She turned down a $5 million annual salary offer from ESPN according to Sports Illustrated. 

On Monday afternoon, Nichols began her show The Jump, by addressing the situation flanked by her co-hosts Richard Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins.

"So the first thing they teach in journalism school is don't be the story,” Nichols said according USA Today. 

“And I don't plan to break that rule today or distract from a fantastic Finals, but I also don't want to let this moment pass without saying how much I respect, how much I value our colleagues here at ESPN, how deeply, deeply sorry I am for disappointing those I hurt — particularly Maria Taylor — and how grateful I am to be part of this outstanding team," she continued.

Perkins, who came out in support of Nichols and Taylor, called for a more supportive environment at ESPN.

“I also know Maria Taylor. She’s a great person as well, very, very talented, hardworking, and I also feel like she deserves every opportunity that’s presented in her way. My only hope is we have a commitment to support each other through this process,” Perkins said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Jefferson spoke about the importance of open dialogue among colleagues.

“I’ve known Rachel for 20 years. Rachel and our entire group here have had some very difficult conversations over our time here, and those conversations end here, we will continue those uncomfortable conversations. No one is excused. This doesn’t just go away. We have to learn and understand and become better for each other,” Jefferson added.

Throughout the controversy, Taylor has remained mum. She's scheduled to cover the NBA Finals as a co-host of NBA Countdown beginning on Tuesday on ABC.

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