So what exactly did Rachel Nichols say? The now-disgraced sportscaster not only claimed that Maria Taylor took a job that was rightfully hers, but she implied that the only reason Taylor received the job was because of efforts by ESPN to be inclusive.
“I wish Maria Taylor all the success in the world — she covers football, she covers basketball,” Nichols said in the recording, according to The New York Times. “If you need to give her more things to do because you are feeling pressure about your cr*ppy 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.”
ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro attempted to acknowledge the drama in a statement (via New York Post): “I do want to be clear on one thing: Maria Taylor was selected as NBA Countdown host last year because she earned it. Please know our commitment is that assignments and opportunities at ESPN are based on merit and any concerns, remarks, or inferences that suggest otherwise have been and will continue to be addressed.”
Nicki
