Rachel Nichols

“Undisputed” Reportedly Adds Ex-ESPN Host To New Lineup

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Undisputed will return on August 28 to premiere its brand-new look. The show returns without Shannon Sharpe, who abruptly left the show in June. It’s believed that a growing rift with co-host Skip Bayless was the reason that Sharpe left. Since leaving, Sharpe has been linked with a move to ESPN, with Stephen A. Smith eager for him to join First Take. Sharpe’s next move is yet to be officially confirmed.

However, the future of Undisputed appeared much less certain. A number of rumored co-hosts for Bayless were floated but none of them seemed to come to fruition. Then Bayless dropped the news that Lil Wayne would be joining him for a weekly segment on Fridays. Bayless and Wayne have been friends for years but it also served as the first major piece of news for the post-Sharpe vision of the show. Now, we have another piece of the puzzle.

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Rachel Nichols Joins Undisputed

According to the Sports Business Journal, former ESPN host Rachel Nichols will be joining Undisputed when the show returns later this month. Nichols has spent the last two years with Showtime after a leaked phone call ended her career at ESPN. In the leaked call, Nichols was heard complaining about the rise of Maria Taylor, who anchored the network’s NBA Finals coverage in 2020. Nichols did not apologize for her comments, instead placing the blame on ESPN. Regardless, she joins Wayne and former NFL star Richard Sherman as confirmed cast members for the new-look show. But are more on the way?

The SBJ also hinted at two other potential additions to the team at Undisputed. First is Keyshawn Johnson, who was recently fired from ESPN amid their round of talent cuts in June. The second is a slightly more controversial choice. Michael Irvin has also been floated as potentially joining the show. Irvin is currently on suspension at the NFL Network following accusations of an inappropriate incident with a hotel worker during the Super Bowl weekend in February. Both Irvin and Johnson are believed to be being considered for rotational contributor roles. Meanwhile, Sherman and Nichols will serve as permanent panelists alongside Bayless.

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Rachel Nichols Gets New NBA Media Gig

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Rachel Nichols found herself in the midst of a huge controversy at ESPN last year. The long-time NBA journalist ended up losing her job after recordings of her leaked online. In these recordings, Nichols could be heard criticizing Maria Taylor, with Nichols referring to her as a diversity hire of sorts.

Following this leak, Nichols was removed from her post on NBA Countdown, and The Jump was ultimately canceled in favor of NBA Today which is now hosted by Malika Andrews. Needless to say, it was a horrible time for Nichols’ career as she was left without a role in the dog-eat-dog world of NBA media.

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Now, however, it is being reported that Nichols will be back on TV in the not-so-distant future. She is going to be added to the team over at Showtime Sports, where she will get to create monthly basketball programming. It remains to be seen what her exact role will be over there, although it is certainly going to be huge given the fact that she has a wealth of experience from working with ESPN.

This is a hiring that could be polarizing as some are still mad at Nichols for her comments about Andrews. Either way, Showtime Sports is expanding, and they believe this hire gives them the best chance to compete in the NBA landscape.