ESPN has replaced Rachel Nichols as its sideline reporter for the NBA Finals following a report detailing critical comments she made about black colleague Maria Taylor.
The network announced Tuesday that Malika Andrews would handle that role for the series between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks.
Nichols has been the sideline reporter for its top national games this season and for last year's NBA Finals. But the switch was made after the New York Times reported Sunday on her comments last year, when she learned Taylor would lead the network's studio show instead of her during the league's restart at Walt Disney World.
In a phone conversation that was accidentally recorded and the Times obtained, Nichols said: "I wish Maria Taylor all the success in the world – she covers football, she covers basketball. 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 Times' report said the show's crew was angry with Nichols, who apologised Monday while hosting 'The Jump'.
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"They teach you in journalism school, 'Don't be the story', and I don't plan to break that rule today or distract from a fantastic finals," Nichols said in a 30-second statement to open the show.
"I also didn't want to let this moment pass without saying how much I respect and 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 said, pointing at her co-hosts.
Nichols will continue to host that daily weekday basketball show onsite during the finals.
It's not the first time Taylor has been the target of controversial takes by others in media, with a US radio host fired last year for a "degrading" sexist attack on the NBA, NFL and volleyball ESPN reporter.
Nichols was supported by her co-host Kendrick Perkins and Richard Jefferson. Perkins said on the show Nichols had a "great heart", was "hard-working" and "deserves every opportunity that is presented her way".
"For someone who has known you for a long time, being around you, you have treated me with utmost respect and you always made me feel comfortable in your presence. I know your heart – great person, great individual," Perkins said.
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Though Jefferson admitted 'The Jump' crew on set has had some "difficult conversations during this time period".
"Those conversations don't end here," Jefferson said. "We will continue to have uncomfortable conversations. No one is excused. She is not excused, I am not excused, Perk.
"This doesn't just go away. But we have to learn and understand it and become better for each other. And really through our actions more than anything. And that is our responsibility."
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"I also know Maria Taylor," Perkins added. "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."
Not everyone accepted Nichols' apology well, including Mariah Rose, daughter of former basketball star and ESPN sports analyst Jalen Rose. Several NBA stars also tweeted their support for Taylor.
"Maybe instead of crying and calling Maria a diversity token, you can direct that energy to the people who can think there an only be one woman on that stage," Rose said on TikTok.
"I'm sorry your white privilege didn't work this time."
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Taylor will again host the NBA Finals pregame and halftime shows, though the New York Post reported that her contract ends later this month and she had rejected an extension.
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