Rachel Nichols (journalist)

{{Infobox person

| name = Rachel Nichols

| image = Rachel Nichols.png

| caption = Nichols in 2021

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|10|18}}

| birth_place = Potomac, Maryland, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| alma_mater = Northwestern University

| occupation = Sports journalist, television host

| years_active = 1995–present

| agent =

| title =

| family =

| birth_name = Rachel Michele Alexander

| alias =

| spouse = {{marriage|Max Nichols|2001}}

| children = 2

| relatives = Mike Nichols (father-in-law)
Annabel Davis-Goff (mother-in-law)

| credits = NBA on TNT
Unguarded with Rachel Nichols
SportsCenter
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Countdown
Sunday NFL Countdown
E:60
The Jump

}}

Rachel Michele Nichols ({{née}} Alexander; born October 18, 1973{{Cite tweet |author=Rachel Nichols|user=Rachel__Nichols |number=1582505670149951491 |title=Also, thanks to all for the birthday wishes, but especially for the free coffee this morning}}) is an American journalist and sportscaster. She has covered the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Baseball (MLB), professional tennis, college sports, the Olympics and is most notable for her work with the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 2014, Sports Illustrated called Nichols "the country's most impactful and prominent female sports journalist".{{cite magazine |title=The Case for ... Rachel Nichols |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/vault/2014/10/13/106646996/the-case-for--rachel-nichols |access-date=November 20, 2014}}

Early life

Rachel Michele Alexander was born to Jane and Ronald Jacobs. Growing up in Potomac, Maryland, she became a fan of sports during her youth, saying it felt like watching a live storybook movie with heroes and villains, and an ending not yet written. Nichols wrote for and edited the school newspaper at Winston Churchill High School, graduating in 1991.{{cite news |last1=Frank |first1=Noah |title=Express lane to Bristol: Why so many D.C. sports personalities end up at ESPN |url=https://wtop.com/local-sports/2016/11/express-lane-to-bristol-why-so-many-d-c-sports-personalities-end-up-at-espn/ |work=WTOP News |date=November 18, 2016}}{{Cite web |last1=Bhattiprolu |first1=Maya |last2=Cook |first2=Quinn |date=2020-11-11 |title=WCHS alumna Rachel Nichols inspires student journalists |url=https://www.thechurchillobserver.com/features/2020/11/11/rachelnichols/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=The Observer}}

While attending the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, she had summer internships at USA Today, Chicago Sun-Times and The Washington Post. Michael Wilbon, a lead sports columnist of The Washington Post at the time, met Nichols when she was an 18-year-old intern and said "she had supreme confidence." One of Nichols' earliest assignments was to attend Chicago Bulls practices as a freelance newspaper reporter amid the team's first three-peat. After a few media sessions where she took notes and did not ask questions, Michael Jordan called her out to speak. The two began to talk on a regular basis after the exchange and Nichols credited the experience in growing her skills as a journalist.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportscasting.com/michael-jordan-got-blunt-rachel-nichols-admitted-why-he-rarely-interviews-anymore/|title=Michael Jordan Got Blunt With Rachel Nichols and Admitted Why He Rarely Does Interviews Anymore|author=Kyle Dalton|publisher=Sportscasting|date=15 May 2021}} At age 21, she received a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University.{{cite web |last1=Moellers |first1=Beth |title=Co-anchor of NBC's 'TODAY Show,' Host of ESPN's 'The Jump' named 2018 Medill convocation speakers |url=https://www.medill.northwestern.edu/news/2018/graduation-speakers-sheinelle-jones-and-rachel-nichols.html |website=Northwestern University |publisher=Medill School of Journalism |date=April 4, 2018}}

Career

=Newspapers=

Nichols' first job was as a sportswriter for the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel covering the University of Miami football team and Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web |date=2016-02-18 |title=Rachel Nichols Doesn't Think Asking Tough Questions Is Scary at All |url=https://www.gq.com/story/rachel-nichols-espn-interview |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=DOLPHINS PLAYERS TALK ABOUT ABUSE |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1995-10-18-9510170477-story.html |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Sun Sentinel|date=October 18, 1995 }} In 1996, Nichols joined The Washington Post to cover the NHL's Washington Capitals.{{cite news |title=Rachel Alexander |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/talk/alexndr/rabio.htm |access-date=June 15, 2008}} She later branched out into other sports including professional tennis, the Olympics, the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball. Nichols covered Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi as well as Venus and Serena Williams early in their careers.{{Cite news |date=2002-09-06 |title=Sampras to Semis |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/09/06/sampras-to-semis/cbc7021e-9d0b-4b62-bf6a-f6fd08b74cce/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2003-07-30 |title=Workmanlike Agassi Advances |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/07/30/workmanlike-agassi-advances/8b27f966-cd3b-40e8-96ca-7048c07b6240/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=WashingtonPost.com: Open Final Lands On Venus |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/tennis/longterm/1997/usopen/articles/open6.htm |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=www.washingtonpost.com}}

=Television=

==ESPN==

She transitioned to broadcasting in 2004 when ESPN hired her as a reporter.{{Cite web |last=Axelrod |first=Joshua |title=Rachel Nichols Highlights from 9 Years at ESPN |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1502059-remembering-rachel-nichols-a-few-highlights-from-nine-years-at-espn |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} Nichols made regular appearances on SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown and was a recurring sideline reporter for Monday Night Football and NBA broadcasts.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2013/01/24/espn-rachel-nichols-cnn/1862515/|title=Rachel Nichols leaving ESPN for CNN|last1=Hiestand|first1=Michael|date=January 24, 2013|work=USA Today}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/profiles-strategies/2019/03/espns-rachel-nichols-asks-the-tough-questions.html?page=all|title=ESPN's Rachel Nichols asks the tough questions|last=Spanberg|first=Erik|date=March 25, 2019|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=April 29, 2019}} She was also a correspondent for E:60 and became a recognizable face at the network due to her rapport with prominent sports figures, with Esquire naming Nichols one of the "Women We Love".{{cite web|url=http://www.esquire.com/women/ESQ0207SURVEY|title=The Esquire Survey: The Sexiest Women on the Planet|date=November 1, 2005|work=Esquire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508045819/http://www.esquire.com/women/ESQ0207SURVEY|archive-date=May 8, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=June 15, 2008}}

==CNN==

In January 2013, Nichols left ESPN for CNN/Turner Sports and was announced to anchor the network's first sports-related program in twelve years.{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Jon |date=2013-01-25 |title=Rachel Nichols Leaves ESPN For Turner; Will Anchor CNN Show |url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2013/01/rachel-nichols-leaves-espn-for-turner-will-anchor-cnn-show/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Sports Media Watch |language=en-US}} She was called a "revered player in the space" and considered a 'big get' for CNN. Unguarded with Rachel Nichols premiered in October of that year and changed from a regular series to an occasional special by October 2014.{{cite news| url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/unguarded-with-rachel-nichols-air-as-specials-cnn-turner-shakeup | work=USA Today | title='Unguarded with Rachel Nichols' will only air as specials after Turner shakeup}} During this period, Nichols also worked the sidelines for the NBA on TNT program in both regular season and playoff games as well as regular appearances on Inside the NBA.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/11/rachel-nichols-returning-to-espn-leaving-cnn-turner-sports-1201646809/|title=CNN's Rachel Nichols Heading Back To ESPN|publisher=Deadline|date=30 November 2015|author=Lisa de Moraes}} She was a sideline reporter for CBS and TBS during the NCAA men's basketball tournament, paired with Verne Lundquist and Bill Rafferty, and was a dugout reporter for TBS during MLB playoff games.{{Cite web |last=Lepore |first=Steve |date=2013-09-30 |title=TBS announces MLB Playoff broadcast teams |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2013/9/30/4787862/tbs-broadcasters-mlb-division-series |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=SBNation.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Pete |date=2013-03-15 |title=Former ESPN reporter savors new challenges |url=https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Former-ESPN-reporter-savors-new-challenges-4356572.php |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Times Union |language=en-US}} Nichols was widely praised for her tough questioning of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the wake of the Ray Rice scandal{{cite news |title=Rachel Nichols refused to let Roger Goodell off the hook |work=USA Today |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/rachel-nichols-roger-goodell-nfl-press-conference |access-date=November 20, 2014}} and likewise for confronting boxer Floyd Mayweather on his history of domestic violence.{{cite news |title=CNN's Rachel Nichols Confronts Floyd Mayweather over Domestic Abuse Charges |work=Mediaite |url=http://www.mediaite.com/tv/cnns-rachel-nichols-confronts-floyd-mayweather-over-domestic-abuse-charges/ |access-date=November 20, 2014}} The Hollywood Reporter recognized her as one of the "10 Most Powerful Voices in Sports Media".{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/10-powerful-voices-sports-media-811583|title=The 10 Most Powerful Voices in Sports Media: Simmons, Barkley and More|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}

==Return to ESPN==

In 2016, Nichols was recruited back to ESPN by then-president John Skipper. She pitched "a conversation about basketball" as a daily program where former players, reporters and associates of the NBA community discuss the league. Tracy McGrady joined The Jump when it debuted in February 2016. A sit-down interview with Nichols became a benchmark for active players, and Sports Illustrated called The Jump "TV's smartest basketball show".{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2017/12/29/rachel-nichols-espn-the-jump-nba-smartest-basketball-show|title=How The Jump became TV's smartest basketball show|last=Bechtel|first=Mark|website=SI.com|date=December 29, 2017 |language=en|access-date=April 29, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/shlomosprung/2021/02/18/rachel-nichols-discusses-the--importance-endurance-of-espns-nba-show-the-jump-on-its-five-year-anniversary/?sh=67096f273dd7|title=Rachel Nichols Discusses The Importance, Endurance Of ESPN's NBA Show 'The Jump' On Its Five-Year Anniversary|date=18 February 2021|author=Shlomo Sprung|work=Forbes}} She also became a recurring guest-host on the podcast Pardon My Take (2016–present), as well as on the TV show Pardon the Interruption.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfrontrow.com/2016/07/nichols-teams-post-mentors-wilbon-kornheiser-pti/|title=Nichols teams with Post mentors Wilbon, Kornheiser on PTI - ESPN Front Row|date=July 28, 2016|access-date=February 11, 2018}} During the following years, Nichols interviewed Meek Mill and Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin on criminal justice reform, Mark Cuban after an NBA investigation into workplace harassment within the Dallas Mavericks organization and Kobe Bryant in one of his final interviews.{{Cite web |last=Spanberg |first=Erik |date=2019-03-18 |title=No Fear: Rachel Nichols |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2019/03/18/Media/Nichols.aspx |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lauletta |first=Tyler |title=Tracy McGrady says Kobe Bryant used to tell him early in his career that he wanted to 'die young' and be 'immortalized' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tracy-mcgrady-kobe-bryant-die-young-the-jump-2020-1 |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} She was nominated for "Outstanding Sports Personality/Studio Host" in the 2021 Sports Emmy Awards.{{Cite web |title=Nominees |url=https://theemmys.tv/sports/nominees-2021-sports-personalities/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=theemmys.tv |date=April 20, 2021 |language=en-US}}

Plans to have The Jump serve as the Finals pregame show were scrapped amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when NBA Countdown with host Maria Taylor was made the Finals' pregame and halftime show. During the 2020 NBA Bubble, an employee at ESPN's Connecticut headquarters used a cell phone to record Nichols in her hotel room without her knowledge. The recording included a phone call with LeBron James' advisor Adam Mendelsohn, which was reportedly 30 minutes long, taken from a continuous video feed connected to ESPN's servers. The employee texted the recording to ESPN employees and executives, as well as Deadspin.{{cite web| url=https://deadspin.com/espn-creep-used-the-jump-video-feed-to-secretly-record-1844398846| title=ESPN Creep Used 'The Jump' Video Feed To Secretly Record Rachel Nichols in Her Hotel Room — Video Got Sent to Us| author1=Jim Rich| author2=Eric Barrow| author3=Carron J. Phillips| author4=Julie DiCaro| date=July 15, 2020| publisher=Deadspin.com| access-date=February 27, 2022}}{{cite web| url=https://people.com/sports/espns-rachel-nichols-apologizes-to-colleague-maria-taylor-after-leaked-call/| title=ESPN's Rachel Nichols Apologizes to Colleague Maria Taylor After Leaked Disparaging Comments| author=Karen Mizoguchi| date=July 7, 2021| publisher=People.com| access-date=February 27, 2022}} Deadspin declined to publish the video, citing that it was an attempt to discredit Nichols and the employee may have committed a crime. An ESPN spokesperson acknowledged the issue in a comment to Deadspin, "We are extremely disappointed about the leak of a private conversation. It's indefensible and an intrusion on Rachel's privacy." Nichols was the sideline reporter for the 2020 NBA Finals and hosted its championship trophy presentation.{{cite news|title=Doris Burke to make history by calling conference finals, NBA Finals on radio|date=September 10, 2020|work=Pro Basketball Talk|agency=Associated Press|url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/09/10/doris-burke-to-make-history-by-calling-conference-finals-nba-finals-on-radio/|access-date=July 11, 2021}}{{cite web| url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/07/07/espn-rachel-nichols-maria-taylor-controversy| title=ESPN Waits a Year to Clean Up Rachel Nichols–Maria Taylor Mess, Makes Mess Messier| author=Jimmy Traina| date=July 7, 2021| publisher=SI.com| access-date=February 27, 2022}}

One year later, four minutes of edited footage from the phone call leaked to The New York Times before the 2021 NBA Finals amid ESPN's contract negotiations with Taylor. The footage included Nichols noting that being NBA Countdown host for the 2020 Finals "is in my contract in writing" and had been announced via press release by ESPN.{{Cite magazine |last=Traina |first=Jimmy |title=ESPN Botches Handling of Rachel Nichols Again, Humiliates Her on the Way Out |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/08/26/espn-pulls-rachel-nichols-from-nba-coverage-cancels-the-jump |access-date=2022-06-28 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}{{cite web|title=ESPN Reimagines NBA Pregame Coverage with New Strategy|date=October 8, 2019|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2019/10/espn-reimagines-nba-pregame-coverage-with-new-strategy/|access-date=October 8, 2019}} She also alleged that internal pressure from a New York Times investigation into racism at ESPN and the network's "crappy record on diversity" led to executives asking her to step aside for Taylor.{{Cite web |last=Draper |first=Kevin |date=2020-07-13 |title=ESPN Employees Say Racism Endures Behind the Camera |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/13/sports/espn-racism-black-employees.html |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}{{cite news |last1=Draper |first1=Kevin |title=A Disparaging Video Prompts Explosive Fallout Within ESPN |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/04/sports/basketball/espn-rachel-nichols-maria-taylor.html |access-date=July 6, 2021 |agency=The New York Times |date=July 4, 2021}} In response to the article, ESPN removed Nichols from sideline reporting for the 2021 Finals and skipped airing The Jump for a day before she returned and issued an on-air apology to Taylor.{{cite web| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/07/08/espn-maria-taylor-rachel-nichols-diversity/| title=Rachel Nichols is back on the air, but the fallout at ESPN is just beginning| author=Ben Strauss| date=July 8, 2021| work=WashingtonPost.com| access-date=February 27, 2022}}

Nearly seven weeks after the NBA Finals, ESPN canceled The Jump and removed Nichols from its programming.{{Cite web|last1=Tapp|first1=Tom|date=July 6, 2021|title=Rachel Nichols' Show 'The Jump' Replaced On ESPN Tuesday Schedule Just Hours Before Start Of NBA Finals|url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/rachel-nichols-the-jump-tuesday-episode-canceled-espn-1234787129/|access-date=July 7, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}{{cite web |last1=Mangan |first1=Dan |title=ESPN sits NBA reporter Rachel Nichols for Suns-Bucks finals amid furor over Maria Taylor race comment |date=July 6, 2021|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/06/espn-sits-rachel-nichols-for-nba-finals-over-maria-taylor-comments.html |website=CNBC |access-date=July 6, 2021}} At the time, she had over a year remaining on her contract.{{cite news|first=Jason|last=Owens|title=ESPN removes Rachel Nichols from NBA programming, cancels 'The Jump'|date=August 26, 2021|work=Yahoo Sports|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/espn-removes-rachel-nichols-from-all-programming-cancels-the-jump-194504948.html|access-date=August 26, 2021}}{{cite news|title=ESPN cancels Rachel Nichols' show, pulls her from NBA coverage following race controversy|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/25/rachel-nichols-espn-cancels-the-jump-removes-her-from-nba-coverage.html|author=Pramuk, Jacob|date=August 25, 2021|accessdate=August 25, 2021|publisher=CNBC}} As Connecticut and Florida are two-party consent states for lawful recording of phone calls and conversations, Nichols was reported to have a strong legal case against ESPN.{{cite web| url=https://nypost.com/2021/08/31/whats-next-for-rachel-nichols-after-her-split-from-espn/| title=What's next for Rachel Nichols after her controversial split from ESPN?| author=Kirsten Fleming| date=August 31, 2021| publisher=NYPost.com| access-date=February 27, 2022}} In January 2022, Nichols settled with ESPN and left the network.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/588402-rachel-nichols-officially-leaves-espn-after-settlement|title=Rachel Nichols officially leaves ESPN after settlement|last=Oshin|first=Olafimihan|website=thehill.com|date=January 4, 2022|access-date=January 6, 2022}}

==Showtime==

In September 2022, Nichols joined Showtime Sports to contribute to their basketball coverage.{{cite news|first=Kevin|last=Draper|title=Rachel Nichols Joins Showtime After Contentious ESPN Exit|date=September 30, 2022|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/30/sports/basketball/rachel-nichols-showtime-espn-maria-taylor.html|access-date=October 1, 2022}}

== ''Undisputed'' ==

In August 2023, it was announced that Nichols joined Fox Sports as one of the panelists for the weekday morning debate show Undisputed with Skip Bayless, Keyshawn Johnson, Michael Irvin and Richard Sherman.{{Cite magazine |last=McDaniel |first=Mike |date=2023-08-09 |title=Rachel Nichols to Join FS1's 'Undisputed' With Skip Bayless, per Report |url=https://www.si.com/media/2023/08/09/rachel-nichols-fs1-undisputed-skip-bayless |access-date=2023-08-28 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}

Personal life

Nichols married film and music video director Max Nichols,{{cite news |title=Helmer has 'Two Night Stand' |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/helmer-has-two-night-stand-1118055282/ |access-date=November 1, 2013}} son of film and stage director Mike Nichols, in a Jewish ceremony in Venice in 2001.{{cite news| title = Weddings; Rachel Alexander, Max Nichols | work = The New York Times| date = May 27, 2001 |at=Sect. 9, p. 9| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE2DD1F3DF934A15756C0A9679C8B63 | access-date = June 15, 2008 }} Her stepmother-in-law, the stepmother of Max Nichols and the last wife of Mike Nichols before his death, is Diane Sawyer.{{cite web |last=O'Connell |first=Ryan |url= https://www.thewrap.com/gma-remembers-mike-nichols-we-are-thinking-of-diane-this-morning-video/ |title= 'GMA' Remembers Mike Nichols: 'We are Thinking of Diane This Morning' (Video) |work=The Wrap |date=November 20, 2014 |access-date=July 4, 2021}} The couple have twin daughters (born March 2011).{{Cite web |last=Salao |first=Colin |date=2023-12-26 |title=Rachel Nichols told Dan Le Batard about a shockingly offensive comment a top exec once told her |url=https://www.thestreet.com/sports/rachel-nichols-dan-le-batard-offensive-comment-top-exec |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=TheStreet |language=en-us}}{{cite web|last1=Rosen|first1=Rick|title=Max Nichols, Rachel Nichols Husband: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|url=http://heavy.com/sports/2016/02/rachel-max-nichols-dating-boyfriend-married-husband-family-children-daughters/|website=heavy|date=February 18, 2016|access-date=December 1, 2017}}{{Cite magazine |last=Deitsch |first=Richard |date=2015-07-26 |title=Pregnant and on-air: Women in sports media discuss managing work, motherhood |url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2015/07/27/women-sports-media-pregnancy-motherhood-amber-theoharis-rachel-nichols |access-date=2024-05-07 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Shister |first=Gail |date=2013-10-23 |title='Hard-Nosed' Sports Reporter, Still Hit On in the Locker Room, Gets CNN Back in the Game |url=https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/hard-nosed-sports-reporter-still-hit-on-in-the-locker-room-brings-sports-back-to-cnn/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=www.adweek.com |language=en-US}} She also has one older brother and one younger brother.{{cite web |last1=Karalis |first1=John |title=Feb 28- ESPN's Rachel Nichols on working with Pierce & Perk, Tatum's ascension, & being a role model for girls |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feb-28-espns-rachel-nichols-on-working-pierce-perk/id1049169349?i=1000466917060 |access-date=March 2, 2020}}