After a nearly three-year stint at CNN, Rachel Nichols is returning to ESPN on Feb. 1. She will host a new, daily program focused on the NBA that kicks off Thursday, Feb. 18, when NBA games resume following the All-Star break. The Jump will air on ESPN weekdays at 3:30 p.m. ET from the World Wide Leader’s Los Angeles studios.
The Jump will include regular appearances by current and former NBA players, as well as analysts, reporters and ESPN’s team of insiders. The show will be produced by ESPN senior coordinating producer Kevin Wildes and coordinating producer Richelle Markazene.
“The Jump is going to be a great big conversation about all the fun, serious, smart, crazy, big-issue, small-smile moments that make the NBA so fascinating,” Nichols said.
The Jump is part of an impressive mid-day block of original programming, which also features Outside the Lines, NFL Live, SportsNation, Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption. In addition to The Jump, Nichols will contribute to SportsCenter, occasionally host Outside the Lines, and contribute to E:60.
“I’m thrilled ESPN is giving me the opportunity to help create and host this show, and that I’ll also have a voice on a wide range of sports and topics for SportsCenter, OTL and E:60 – shows I have so much respect and affection for,” Nichols said.
“We are so excited to get Rachel back at ESPN in an expanded role,” ESPN evp Marie Donoghue said. “Our mission in content development relies on smart, original voices like Rachel; her credibility, integrity and intelligence shine through in everything she does.”