ESPN yesterday announced that Rachel Nichols, as part of her return to the net, will host a new NBA-themed program to launch Feb. 18, coinciding with the end of the All-Star break. "The Jump" will air on ESPN at 3:30pm ET Monday-Friday, originating from L.A. Nichols also will contribute to "SportsCenter" with commentary, interviews and features. She will appear on "E:60" and occasionally host "OTL" (ESPN). Nichols said that a "rotating panel of current and former NBA players as well as ESPN analysts and reporters will debate a range of topics" on the show. She added, "It’s not going to be a highlight show. This is going to be a conversation. ... It’s a fun sport and a really accessible sport. It’s also a sport that really lends itself to those bigger issues. And we’re putting together a group of people who have the smarts and the dexterity to do both" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 1/29 issue). In DC, Cindy Boren wrote this is a "different Rachel Nichols" coming back to ESPN. During her time at CNN, she "continued to grow" and "earned kudos for her stellar work on the NFL’s 2014 domestic violence crisis." Nichols was "widely praised" for "grilling NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the topic." She said, "Over the last three years, developing a voice and being part of the national conversation on the big topic of the day is important. To be part of that is thrilling. ... One reason to return (to ESPN) is the voice I’ve created" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/20).
