Following a leaked recording of ESPN anchor Rachel Nichols disparaging Maria Taylor, a Black colleague, by suggesting Taylor’s on-camera presence was solely based on her race, an organization representing Black journalists has requested a meeting with Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS) and its ESPN cable network.
What happened was this: The New York Times published a story on July 4 about a phone call Nichols had with Adam Mendelsohn, a communications assistant to LeBron James, from a hotel room in July 2020. The call was recorded by a video camera in Nichols’ room, which she was unaware of.
During the call, Nichols questioned why Taylor was handed the pregame and postgame coverage of the 2020 NBA Finals, which had previously been assigned to him.
“If you need to give her extra things to do because you’re feeling pressured about your dreadful long-term record on diversity – which, by the way, I personally know from the female side of it,” Nichols added. “Simply look for it elsewhere. You’re not going to get it from me or take it away from me.”
Associated Link: Spectators are barred from the Tokyo Olympics as the country’s capital is declared a COVID-19 health emergency for the fourth time.
What Happened After That: The footage was allegedly leaked by Kayla Johnson, a Black ESPN producer. Johnson received a two-week suspension for the leak, according to USA Today, and has since departed the company.
The National Association of Black Journalists’ president, Dorothy Tucker, has requested a meeting with Disney executive chairman Bob Iger, Disney CEO Bob Chapek, and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro to resolve the matter.
In a press statement, Tucker added, “The company’s actions may have alienated Taylor and resulted in another Black employee being punished for reporting the situation.”
On Monday’s episode of ESPN’s “The Jump,” Nichols, who was taken from the network’s NBA Finals sidelines coverage, delivered an on-air apology, emphasizing how “truly, terribly sorry I am for failing those I wounded, notably Maria Taylor, and how glad I am to be a part of this team.”
“Individuals know that people make errors, that careers shouldn’t be destroyed by a single comment, that we should be assessing people by the greater context of their body of work and who they are,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during a press conference.
Taylor’s Twitter response to the incident was as follows:
Maria Taylor, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and Cmilien86.
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