Report: ESPN removes Rachel Nichols from NBA coverage, cancels 'The Jump'

ESPN personality Rachel Nichols was one of the most recognizable faces and names covering the NBA for the Worldwide Leader but found herself in hot water over the summer when a leaked conversation featuring her controversially complaining about losing 2020 NBA Finals hosting duties to Maria Taylor went public. 

It appears Nichols' time as a public star with her employer is finished. 

John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reported Wednesday that ESPN is both removing Nichols from all NBA programming and canceling her weekday NBA show "The Jump." While Nichols is still under contract with ESPN for over a year and hasn't been dismissed, she's unlikely to appear on the air for any content moving forward. 

"We mutually agreed that this approach regarding our NBA coverage was best for all concerned," ESPN senior VP/production David Roberts said in a statement to SBJ. "Rachel is an excellent reporter, host and journalist, and we thank her for her many contributions to our NBA content." 

"The Jump" will ultimately be replaced by a new afternoon studio show. 

Nichols addressed the news via Twitter: