Current Events > ESPN's Rachel Nichols apologizes to Maria Taylor after video leak firestorm

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https://www.tmz.com/2021/07/05/rachel-nichols-apologizes-maria-taylor-espn-the-jump/

Rachel Nichols has apologized to fellow ESPN colleague, Maria Taylor, on national television -- this after a bombshell NYT report -- and ex-NBA stars Kendrick Perkins and Richard Jefferson were there to add their two cents. The veteran NBA anchor took a moment Monday on "The Jump" to address the Times' story from this weekend -- which shed light on drama at the sports network over the past year ... this following recorded controversial remarks Rachel made surrounding Maria, who's Black. Right off the bat, RN acknowledged she didn't like that she'd become the story ... but owned up to it nonetheless, saying she was deeply sorry to anyone she let down with her comments, especially Maria. Rachel added she was grateful to be part of the ESPN team. Perk and Rich took it from there ... with the former chiming in first, thanking Rachel for taking responsibility for her actions, and relaying to the audience that he knew her heart -- while also pointing out he'd always felt comfortable in her presence. He also shouted out Maria, whom he said was deserving of every opportunity that came her way ... and that he hoped they could all support each other going forward. RJ echoed those sentiments as well.

The response comes on the heels of surfaced audio, which depicts Rachel having a candid conversation with LeBron James' PR advisor, Adam Mendelsohn, last year during the playoffs ... during which Rachel expressed frustration that ESPN was looking to have Maria share hosting duties with her during the Finals -- something Rachel likened to a "diversity" move. The NYT reported that ESPN was doing major damage control in house in the wake of the clips leaking among employees internally.

Some of the outrage that sparked the apology
https://twitter.com/mariahcrose/status/1412125499887869954
https://twitter.com/tariqnasheed/status/1411771826078765058



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I'm sure most will accept this, but I feel like apologizing only after you got caught is so so much worse.

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wow those tweets sure are stupid

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What did Maria Taylor say about it?

Seems weird to do an open apology on television and having the two other hosts run defense for Nichols while also accepting the apology as if they were the ones attacked.