Update 07/05/2021 12:13pm:

Previously, a leaked conversation between ESPN’s Rachel Nichols and LeBron James’ PR went viral after Nichols could be heard talking out ways to prevent Maria Taylor—a Black female anchor at ESPN, from taking over her job during the NBA Finals. Nichols has been facing massive backlash for her comments, and now Stephen Jackson has commented on Nichols’ comments, saying he would be mad too.

“How mad were we.. when we know we deserve the job, and they give it to a white person just because he white? We been dealing with that our whole life, and that pisses us off. We ain’t gettin’ recorded but we say s**t too behind closed doors. So I get it, I get it why Rachel is mad. Rachael never showed me any signs of being racist.” Jackson went on to say he is rocking with both Nichols and Maria Taylor, who Nichols was speaking about. Watch above.

Original 07/04/2021 4:46pm:

Prominent ESPN anchor Rachel Nichols, known for her NBA coverage, is facing backlash after she was caught on camera discussing how she could prevent a co-worker, female anchor Maria Taylor from taking over her job during the NBA finals.

The conversation took place between her and LeBron James’ publicist—Adam Mendelsohn, last year, and the news was revealed via an exposé by the New York Times, where they highlighted all the various changes at ESPN.

The leaked video allegedly stems from a convo in a hotel room in May 2020, where Nichols was working out of during the NBA Playoffs due to the pandemic. The snippet finds Nichols venting to Mendelsohn about ESPN approaching her with sideline reporting for the 2020 NBA Finals instead of hosting. Usually, Nichols and Maria Taylor—a black woman, split the duties.

Nichols noted the passed on the offer from ESPN, as it would make way for Taylor to take over the hosting gig full-time. Nichols then went on to say, “If you need to give her more things to do because you are feeling pressure about your crappy 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." Listen above.

 

source: TMZ