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Rachel Nichols, born in Phoenix, Arizona, on October 18, 1973, in an American journalist and television host who has become a staple of ESPN’s NBA coverage.
Nichols — who graduated with a degree in journalism from Northwestern University (like most sports journalists working at ESPN seem to) — began her career writing for the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel before she covered the NHL’s Washington Capitals for the Washington Post from 1996 to 2004.
After leaving the Washington Post, Nichols joined ESPN where she further established herself. She then jumped to CNN in October 2013 to host Unguarded with Rachel Nichols, before ultimately returning to ESPN.
The highlight of her career came during the Ray Rice scandal, as her tough and difficult questioning of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell earned her widespread praise in the industry. Additionally, her work on the Roger Goodell interview prompted Sports Illustrated to call Nichols “the country’s most impactful and prominent female sports journalist.”
During her time with ESPN, Nichols has been a regular part of SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, E:60 and Monday Night Football. Since 2016, Nichols has been the host of the NBA-focused show The Jump, which now airs for one hour almost every day.
Nichols, who married director Max Nichols in 2001, is the mother of two twin daughters.
You can also follow Rachel Nichols on Instagram for yourself.