ESPN takes Rachel Nichols off NBA coverage and cancels her show

ESPN is pulling reporter Rachel Nichols from its NBA coverage and canceling her show "The Jump," the network confirmed Wednesday. The decision follows backlash over leaked comments she made about her former colleague Maria Taylor.

"We mutually agreed that this approach regarding our NBA coverage was best for all concerned. Rachel is an excellent reporter, host and journalist, and we thank her for her many contributions to our NBA content," said David Roberts, ESPN's senior vice president of production. Nichols commented on the decision Wednesday. "Got to create a whole show and spend five years hanging out with some of my favorite people talking about one my favorite things," she wrote on Instagram. "The Jump was never built to last forever but it sure was fun."