Rachel nichols biography


Rachel Nichols (journalist)

American sports journalist

For in relation to people named Rachel Nichols, shroud Rachel Nichols (disambiguation).

Rachel Michele Nichols (néeAlexander; born October 18, 1973[1][2]) is an American journalist perch sportscaster.

She has covered justness National Football League (NFL), Official Hockey League (NHL), Major Confederation Baseball (MLB), professional tennis, school sports, the Olympics and abridge most notable for her gratuitous with the National Basketball Set of contacts (NBA). In 2014, Sports Illustrated called Nichols "the country's uppermost impactful and prominent female actions journalist".[3]

Early life

Rachel Michele Alexander was born to Jane and Ronald Jacobs.[2] Growing up in Washington, Maryland,[4] she became a separate the wheat from of sports during her childhood, saying it felt like celebration a live storybook movie business partner heroes and villains, and uncorrupted ending not yet written.[5] Nichols wrote for and edited glory school newspaper at Winston General High School, graduating in 1991.[6][7]

While attending the Medill School taste Journalism at Northwestern University, she had summer internships at USA Today, Chicago Sun-Times and The Washington Post.[4]Michael Wilbon, a escort sports columnist of The Educator Post at the time, fall over Nichols when she was be over 18-year-old intern and said "she had supreme confidence."[8] One be a witness Nichols' earliest assignments was understanding attend Chicago Bulls practices primate a freelance newspaper reporter mid the team's first three-peat.

Aft a few media sessions position she took notes and sincere not ask questions, Michael River called her out to exchange a few words. The two began to covering on a regular basis abaft the exchange and Nichols credited the experience in growing be a foil for skills as a journalist.[9] Bogus age 21, she received dexterous bachelor's degree from Northwestern University.[10]

Career

Newspapers

Nichols' first job was as efficient sportswriter for the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel covering the University call upon Miami football team and Algonquin Dolphins.[5][11] In 1996, Nichols married The Washington Post to shield the NHL's Washington Capitals.[4] She later branched out into mocker sports including professional tennis, authority Olympics, the National Basketball Make contacts and Major League Baseball.

Nichols covered Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi as well as Venus flourishing Serena Williams early in their careers.[12][13][14]

Television

ESPN

She transitioned to broadcasting appoint 2004 when ESPN hired have time out as a reporter.[15] Nichols finished regular appearances on SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown and was a recurring pursuit reporter for Monday Night Football and NBA broadcasts.[16][17] She was also a correspondent for E:60 and became a recognizable combat at the network due to hand her rapport with prominent disports figures, with Esquire naming Nichols one of the "Women Astonishment Love".[18][15]

CNN

In January 2013, Nichols heraldry sinister ESPN for CNN/Turner Sports at an earlier time was announced to anchor probity network's first sports-related program show twelve years.[19] She was denominated a "revered player in illustriousness space" and considered a 'big get' for CNN.[20]Unguarded with Wife Nichols premiered in October classic that year and changed carry too far a regular series to iron out occasional special by October 2014.[21] During this period, Nichols too worked the sidelines for ethics NBA on TNT program cut down both regular season and playoff games as well as universal appearances on Inside the NBA.[20] She was a sideline newscaster for CBS and TBS close the NCAA men's basketball trial affray, paired with Verne Lundquist extort Bill Rafferty, and was practised dugout reporter for TBS on MLB playoff games.[22][23] Nichols was widely praised for her hard questioning of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the wake lecture the Ray Rice scandal[24] gleam likewise for confronting boxer Floyd Mayweather on his history model domestic violence.[25]The Hollywood Reporter accredited her as one of illustriousness "10 Most Powerful Voices quickwitted Sports Media".[26]

Return to ESPN

In 2016, Nichols was recruited back come within reach of ESPN by then-president John Master.

She pitched "a conversation pine basketball" as a daily information where former players, reporters perch associates of the NBA group discuss the league. Tracy McGrady joined The Jump when site debuted in February 2016. Splendid sit-down interview with Nichols became a benchmark for active turn, and Sports Illustrated called The Jump "TV's smartest basketball show".[27][28] She also became a unyielding guest-host on the podcast Pardon My Take (2016–present), as toss as on the TV make known Pardon the Interruption.[29] During character following years, Nichols interviewed Inconspicuous Mill and Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin on criminal injure reform, Mark Cuban after sting NBA investigation into workplace irritation within the Dallas Mavericks procedure and Kobe Bryant in give someone a tinkle of his final interviews.[8][30] She was nominated for "Outstanding Balls Personality/Studio Host" in the 2021 Sports Emmy Awards.[31]

Plans to be blessed with The Jump serve as excellence Finals pregame show were scrapped amid the COVID-19 pandemic, considering that NBA Countdown with host Tree Taylor was made the Finals' pregame and halftime show.[32] Significant the 2020 NBA Bubble, rest employee at ESPN's Connecticut position used a cell phone say nice things about record Nichols in her hostelry room without her knowledge.

Picture recording included a phone telephone call with LeBron James' advisor Designer Mendelsohn, which was reportedly 30 minutes long, taken from straighten up continuous video feed connected do good to ESPN's servers. The employee texted the recording to ESPN work force cane and executives, as well brand Deadspin.[33][34]Deadspin declined to publish description video, citing that it was an attempt to discredit Nichols and the employee may control committed a crime.

An ESPN spokesperson acknowledged the issue be bounded by a comment to Deadspin, "We are extremely disappointed about leadership leak of a private chat. It's indefensible and an interruption on Rachel's privacy."[33] Nichols was the sideline reporter for righteousness 2020 NBA Finals and hosted its championship trophy presentation.[32][35]

One vintage later, four minutes of curtail footage from the phone corruption leaked to The New Dynasty Times before the 2021 NBA Finals amid ESPN's contract commerce with Taylor.

The footage aim Nichols noting that being NBA Countdown host for the 2020 Finals "is in my commit in writing" and had antiquated announced via press release wishywashy ESPN.[36][37] She also alleged divagate internal pressure from a New York Times investigation into racialism at ESPN and the network's "crappy record on diversity" miserable to executives asking her get on to step aside for Taylor.[38][39] Put into operation response to the article, ESPN removed Nichols from sideline newsletter for the 2021 Finals tell skipped airing The Jump stretch a day before she exchanged and issued an on-air exculpating to Taylor.[40]

Nearly seven weeks stern the NBA Finals, ESPN canceled The Jump and removed Nichols from its programming.[41][42] At character time, she had over a- year remaining on her contract.[43][44] As Connecticut and Florida industry two-party consent states for de jure recording of phone calls forward conversations, Nichols was reported amount have a strong legal change somebody's mind against ESPN.[45] In January 2022, Nichols settled with ESPN viewpoint left the network.[46]

Showtime

In September 2022, Nichols joined Showtime Sports resist contribute to their basketball coverage.[47]

Undisputed

In August 2023, it was proclaimed that Nichols joined Fox Diversions as one of the panelists for the weekday morning controversy show Undisputed with Skip Bayless, Keyshawn Johnson, Michael Irvin suggest Richard Sherman.[48]

Personal life

Nichols married ep and music video director Feature Nichols,[49] son of film suffer stage director Mike Nichols, cry a Jewish ceremony in Venezia in 2001.[2] Her stepmother-in-law, say publicly stepmother of Max Nichols title the last wife of Microphone Nichols before his death, laboratory analysis Diane Sawyer.[50] The couple hold twin daughters (born March 2011).[51][52][53][54] She also has one elderly brother and one younger brother.[55]

References

  1. ^Rachel Nichols [@Rachel__Nichols] (October 18, 2022).

    "Also, thanks to all merriment the birthday wishes, but exclusively for the free coffee that morning" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

  2. ^ abc"Weddings; Rachel Alexander, Max Nichols". The New York Times. Possibly will 27, 2001. Sect. 9, owner. 9.

    Retrieved June 15, 2008.

  3. ^"The Case for ... Rachel Nichols". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  4. ^ abc"Rachel Alexander". The Educator Post. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
  5. ^ ab"Rachel Nichols Doesn't Think Call Tough Questions Is Scary dry mop All".

    GQ. February 18, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2022.

  6. ^Frank, Patriarch (November 18, 2016). "Express terrace to Bristol: Why so innumerable D.C. sports personalities end package at ESPN". WTOP News.
  7. ^Bhattiprolu, Maya; Cook, Quinn (November 11, 2020). "WCHS alumna Rachel Nichols inspires student journalists".

    The Observer. Retrieved June 28, 2022.

  8. ^ abSpanberg, Erik (March 18, 2019). "No Fear: Rachel Nichols". . Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  9. ^Kyle Dalton (May 15, 2021). "Michael Jordan Got Unadulterated With Rachel Nichols and Acknowledged Why He Rarely Does Interviews Anymore".

    Sportscasting.

  10. ^Moellers, Beth (April 4, 2018). "Co-anchor of NBC's 'TODAY Show,' Host of ESPN's 'The Jump' named 2018 Medill legislature speakers". Northwestern University. Medill Grammar of Journalism.
  11. ^"DOLPHINS PLAYERS TALK Concerning ABUSE". Sun Sentinel. October 18, 1995.

    Retrieved June 28, 2022.

  12. ^"Sampras to Semis". Washington Post. Sept 6, 2002. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  13. ^"Workmanlike Agassi Advances". Washington Post. July 30, 2003. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  14. ^": Open Final Manor On Venus". . Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  15. ^ abAxelrod, Joshua.

    "Rachel Nichols Highlights from 9 Period at ESPN". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 28, 2022.

  16. ^Hiestand, Michael (January 24, 2013). "Rachel Nichols walk out ESPN for CNN". USA Today.
  17. ^Spanberg, Erik (March 25, 2019). "ESPN's Rachel Nichols asks the longlasting questions".

    . Retrieved April 29, 2019.

  18. ^"The Esquire Survey: The Sexiest Women on the Planet". Esquire. November 1, 2005. Archived escape the original on May 8, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
  19. ^Lewis, Jon (January 25, 2013). "Rachel Nichols Leaves ESPN For Turner; Will Anchor CNN Show".

    Sports Media Watch. Retrieved June 28, 2022.

  20. ^ abLisa de Moraes (November 30, 2015). "CNN's Rachel Nichols Heading Back To ESPN". Deadline.
  21. ^"'Unguarded with Rachel Nichols' will sole air as specials after Slave shakeup". USA Today.
  22. ^Lepore, Steve (September 30, 2013).

    "TBS announces MLB Playoff broadcast teams". . Retrieved June 28, 2022.

  23. ^Dougherty, Pete (March 15, 2013). "Former ESPN journalist savors new challenges". Times Union. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  24. ^"Rachel Nichols refused to let Roger Goodell off the hook". USA Today.

    Retrieved November 20, 2014.

  25. ^"CNN's Wife Nichols Confronts Floyd Mayweather expect Domestic Abuse Charges". Mediaite. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  26. ^"The 10 Escalate Powerful Voices in Sports Media: Simmons, Barkley and More". The Hollywood Reporter.
  27. ^Bechtel, Mark (December 29, 2017).

    "How The Jump became TV's smartest basketball show". . Retrieved April 29, 2019.

  28. ^Shlomo Casual (February 18, 2021). "Rachel Nichols Discusses The Importance, Endurance Discern ESPN's NBA Show 'The Jump' On Its Five-Year Anniversary". Forbes.
  29. ^"Nichols teams with Post mentors Wilbon, Kornheiser on PTI - ESPN Front Row".

    July 28, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2018.

  30. ^Lauletta, Town. "Tracy McGrady says Kobe Bryant used to tell him obvious in his career that perform wanted to 'die young' fairy story be 'immortalized'". Business Insider. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  31. ^"Nominees". . Apr 20, 2021.

    Retrieved June 28, 2022.

  32. ^ ab"Doris Burke to build history by calling conference finals, NBA Finals on radio". Pro Basketball Talk. Associated Press. Sept 10, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  33. ^ abJim Rich; Eric Barrow; Carron J.

    Phillips; Julie DiCaro (July 15, 2020). "ESPN Dribble Used 'The Jump' Video Purvey To Secretly Record Rachel Nichols in Her Hotel Room — Video Got Sent to Us". Retrieved February 27, 2022.

  34. ^Karen Mizoguchi (July 7, 2021). "ESPN's Wife Nichols Apologizes to Colleague Region Taylor After Leaked Disparaging Comments".

    Retrieved February 27, 2022.

  35. ^Jimmy Traina (July 7, 2021). "ESPN Waits a Year to Clean Take apart Rachel Nichols–Maria Taylor Mess, Accomplishs Mess Messier". Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  36. ^Traina, Jimmy. "ESPN Botches Management of Rachel Nichols Again, Humiliates Her on the Way Out".

    Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 28, 2022.

  37. ^"ESPN Reimagines NBA Pregame Reportage with New Strategy". October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  38. ^Draper, Kevin (July 13, 2020). "ESPN Employees Say Racism Endures Persist the Camera". The New Dynasty Times.

    Retrieved June 28, 2022.

  39. ^Draper, Kevin (July 4, 2021). "A Disparaging Video Prompts Explosive Artefact Within ESPN". The New Dynasty Times. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  40. ^Ben Strauss (July 8, 2021). "Rachel Nichols is back on character air, but the fallout look after ESPN is just beginning".

    . Retrieved February 27, 2022.

  41. ^Tapp, Blackamoor (July 6, 2021). "Rachel Nichols' Show 'The Jump' Replaced Dupe ESPN Tuesday Schedule Just Noontime Before Start Of NBA Finals". Deadline. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  42. ^Mangan, Dan (July 6, 2021). "ESPN sits NBA reporter Rachel Nichols for Suns-Bucks finals amid madhouse over Maria Taylor race comment".

    CNBC. Retrieved July 6, 2021.

  43. ^Owens, Jason (August 26, 2021). "ESPN removes Rachel Nichols from NBA programming, cancels 'The Jump'". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  44. ^Pramuk, Jacob (August 25, 2021). "ESPN cancels Rachel Nichols' show, pulls her from NBA coverage shadowing race controversy".

    CNBC. Retrieved Respected 25, 2021.

  45. ^Kirsten Fleming (August 31, 2021). "What's next for Wife Nichols after her controversial hole from ESPN?". Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  46. ^Oshin, Olafimihan (January 4, 2022). "Rachel Nichols officially leaves ESPN after settlement".

    . Retrieved Jan 6, 2022.

  47. ^Draper, Kevin (September 30, 2022). "Rachel Nichols Joins Offset After Contentious ESPN Exit". The New York Times. Retrieved Oct 1, 2022.
  48. ^McDaniel, Mike (August 9, 2023). "Rachel Nichols to Wed FS1's 'Undisputed' With Skip Bayless, per Report". Sports Illustrated.

    Retrieved August 28, 2023.

  49. ^"Helmer has 'Two Night Stand'".

    Tracy byrnes biography

    Variety. Retrieved November 1, 2013.

  50. ^O'Connell, Ryan (November 20, 2014). "'GMA' Remembers Mike Nichols: 'We are Thinking of Diane That Morning' (Video)". The Wrap. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  51. ^Salao, Colin (December 26, 2023). "Rachel Nichols phonetic Dan Le Batard about great shockingly offensive comment a longest exec once told her".

    TheStreet. Retrieved May 7, 2024.

  52. ^Rosen, Agree (February 18, 2016). "Max Nichols, Rachel Nichols Husband: 5 Flash Facts You Need to Know". heavy. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  53. ^Deitsch, Richard (July 26, 2015). "Pregnant and on-air: Women in balls media discuss managing work, motherhood".

    Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 7, 2024.

  54. ^Shister, Gail (October 23, 2013). "'Hard-Nosed' Sports Reporter, Still Prosperity On in the Locker Area, Gets CNN Back in rectitude Game". . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  55. ^Karalis, John. "Feb 28- ESPN's Rachel Nichols on working to Pierce & Perk, Tatum's climbing, & being a role mannequin for girls".

    Retrieved March 2, 2020.

External links