Rachel Nichols (journalist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rachel Nichols
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Nichols in 2021
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| Born |
Rachel Michele Alexander
October 18, 1973 Potomac, Maryland, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Northwestern University |
| Occupation | Sports journalist, television host |
| Years active | 1995–present |
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Notable credit(s)
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NBA on TNT Unguarded with Rachel Nichols SportsCenter Monday Night Football Monday Night Countdown Sunday NFL Countdown E:60 The Jump |
| Spouse(s) |
Max Nichols
(m. 2001) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Mike Nichols (father-in-law) Annabel Davis-Goff (mother-in-law) |
Rachel Nichols, born on October 18, 1973, is a well-known American journalist. She is famous for her work as a sportscaster and television host. Rachel has covered many major sports, including the National Football League (NFL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). She has also reported on the National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Baseball (MLB), and professional tennis. In 2014, Sports Illustrated magazine called her "the country's most impactful and prominent female sports journalist."
Contents
Early Life and Education
Rachel Michele Alexander was born to Jane and Ronald Jacobs. She grew up in Potomac, Maryland. From a young age, Rachel loved sports. She thought watching sports was like seeing a live storybook with heroes and villains. She also enjoyed that the ending was always a surprise.
Rachel wrote for her school newspaper at Winston Churchill High School. She even became the editor before graduating in 1991. After high school, she went to the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. During her summers, she worked as an intern at big newspapers like USA Today and The Washington Post.
When she was 18, Rachel met Michael Wilbon, a sports writer at The Washington Post. He noticed her strong confidence right away. One of her first jobs was reporting on the Chicago Bulls basketball team. She learned a lot about journalism by talking regularly with basketball star Michael Jordan. Rachel earned her bachelor's degree from Northwestern University when she was 21.
Career in Sports Journalism
Starting in Newspapers
Rachel Nichols began her career as a sportswriter. Her first job was with the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel newspaper. She covered the University of Miami football team and the Miami Dolphins. In 1996, she joined The Washington Post. There, she reported on the NHL's Washington Capitals hockey team.
Later, she started covering other sports too. This included professional tennis, the Olympics, and Major League Baseball. She even reported on famous tennis players like Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, and the Williams sisters early in their careers.
Moving to Television
Working at ESPN
In 2004, Rachel Nichols moved from newspapers to television. She was hired by ESPN as a reporter. She often appeared on popular shows like SportsCenter and Sunday NFL Countdown. She also worked as a sideline reporter for Monday Night Football and NBA games. Rachel was also a correspondent for E:60. She became well-known for her ability to connect with famous sports figures. Esquire magazine even named her one of the "Women We Love."
Time at CNN
In January 2013, Rachel left ESPN to join CNN and Turner Sports. She was chosen to host CNN's first sports show in many years. People in the sports world saw her as a very important journalist. Her show, Unguarded with Rachel Nichols, started in October 2013.
During this time, Rachel also worked as a sideline reporter for the NBA on TNT program. She covered both regular season and playoff games. She also appeared regularly on Inside the NBA. She was a reporter for CBS and TBS during the NCAA men's basketball tournament. She also reported from the dugout during MLB playoff games for TBS. Rachel was praised for asking tough questions to important sports leaders. The Hollywood Reporter recognized her as one of the "10 Most Powerful Voices in Sports Media."
Returning to ESPN
In 2016, Rachel Nichols returned to ESPN. She suggested a new daily show about basketball. This show would feature former players and reporters discussing the league. The Jump debuted in February 2016, with Tracy McGrady joining the team. Having an interview with Rachel on The Jump became a big deal for active basketball players. Sports Illustrated called The Jump "TV's smartest basketball show."
Rachel also became a frequent guest host on the podcast Pardon My Take and the TV show Pardon the Interruption. In the following years, she interviewed many important people. These included Meek Mill and Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin about changes to the justice system. She also interviewed Mark Cuban after an investigation into the Dallas Mavericks. One of her last interviews was with basketball legend Kobe Bryant. In 2021, she was nominated for an award for "Outstanding Sports Personality/Studio Host."
In January 2022, Rachel Nichols and ESPN agreed that she would leave the network.
Joining Showtime
In September 2022, Rachel Nichols joined Showtime Sports. She started contributing to their basketball coverage.
Undisputed
In August 2023, it was announced that Rachel Nichols joined Fox Sports. She became one of the panelists on the weekday morning debate show Undisputed. On the show, she works with Skip Bayless, Keyshawn Johnson, Michael Irvin, and Richard Sherman.
Personal Life
Rachel Nichols married film and music video director Max Nichols in 2001. Max is the son of famous film director Mike Nichols. They had twin daughters in March 2011. Rachel also has two brothers.
