Rachel Nichols Leaving ESPN for CNN, Turner Sports, Will Anchor Weekend Show

by Terrence Payne on Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 10:22PM

Rachel Nichols will be covering the Super Bowl in two weeks … just not for ESPN.

On Thursday it was announced that the nine-year ESPN reporter will be taking a position at CNN and Turner Sports. Nichols will remain in the sports world, working with Turner Sports covering various leagues such as baseball, basketball, and the Olympics.

She will also be the anchor for a sports-themed show that will premiere sometime this year on CNN. The Northwestern graduate had previously worked at the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel and the Washington Post, before starting her ESPN career in 2004.

“You can characterize this move as an effort to increase sports programming on CNN,” network spokeswoman Christa Robinson said.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the CNN and Turner Sports family,” added Nichols in a statement. “I believe in Jeff’s vision for CNN, and have always admired the great work of Turner Sports and what David has done there. I’m looking forward to getting started at the Super Bowl.”

Nichols was a very versatile reporter in her time at ESPN. She worked as a correspondent for shows like SportsCenter and NFL Countdown while also serving as a sideline reporter and being a part of E:60, an hour-long, investigative news show.

According to USA Today, ESPN declined to comment on Nichols’ decision to leave “the worldwide leader in sports.”

Nichols begins the new gig on Feb. 3 in New Orleans covering Super Bowl XLVII.

Thank you so much to everyone for all the nice words! Couldn't be more excited about what lies ahead, or more grateful for my time at ESPN.
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Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 24, 2013