Less than three years after departing, one of ESPN’s most prominent reporters is headed back to the network.
CNN and Turner Sports reporter Rachel Nichols is rejoining ESPN effective early next year, according to Sports Illustrated and Those Guys Have All the Fun author James Andrew Miller. Nichols last worked for ESPN in 2013, having originally joined the network in 2004.
The news is no surprise given Nichols’ relatively reduced role at CNN. She was hired to host a weekly sports show on the network, but it took months to debut, aired in a poor timeslot (late Friday night) and lasted just over a year. Since then, her appearances have been limited to the occasional special and providing analysis on CNN programs. She has had a far larger profile on Turner Sports’ game telecasts.
In her return to ESPN, Nichols will have another opportunity to host her own show, as well as contribute to SportsCenter and E:60.
While it is not unusual for networks to provide a revolving door to analysts, many of whom are itching to get back into the game, ESPN continues to make a habit of bringing back former hosts and reporters. Over the years, the network has brought back the likes of Suzy Kolber, Michelle Beadle, Max Kellerman, Darren Rovell, Steve Berthiaume, and even Keith Olbermann and Jason Whitlock — though some of those returns have been notably short-lived.
(Mon. news from SI.com)
