After a recording surfaced of her making disrespectful remarks about her colleague, Maria Taylor, ESPN has benched reporter Rachel Nichols from covering the NBA Finals from the sidelines.
In a leaked audio, Nichols, who is White, reportedly chastised ESPN for choosing Taylor, who is Black, to report on the sidelines of the NBA Finals over her last year.
According to The New York Times, the recording says, "If you need to give her more stuff to do because you are feeling pressured about your horrible longtime record on diversity — which, by the way, I personally know — like, go for it, just find it somewhere else."
On Monday's episode of "The Jump," a show she co-hosts on ESPN, Nichols apologized. "I also don't want to let this moment pass without expressing my heartfelt regret to people I have disappointed, particularly Maria Taylor," she stated.
Reporter Malika Andrews will provide sideline reporting in place of Nichols. According to the network, Nichols will continue to host "The Jump," during the NBA Finals. Taylor, who has been with ESPN for seven years, will continue to host the "NBA Countdown" for the finals. The series between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks begin Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.
ESPN told CBS News in a statement that its decision will keep the focus on basketball.