- Michelle Beadle replaced by Rachel Nichols on NBA Countdown 2019
- The 47-year-old hinted that LeBron James had an influence on his firing
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Former “NBA Countdown” host Michelle Bedell is accusing Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James of firing her from the show.
Biddle began airing the show on ESPN in 2016, before her tenure on the show was cut short three years later in 2019.
The 47-year-old, who now works at Sirius XM, left the broadcaster after several controversies as she claimed James asked her to be removed from NBA Countdown.
“I didn’t find out until after (I was fired),” Biddle said in an interview with Awful Announcing. “In the chaos that happened after I left, all this other information started to come out. As I was leaving, I caught wind of it. And then more stuff came out, and I was like, ‘This is a show.’ “
She then doubled down on her suggestion that James played a role in her being fired and replaced by Rachel Nichols.
“Yeah, you know, he’s a very powerful guy. I mean, there’s no denying that he’s an empire, a separate entity,” she said.
“We have kudos to building such a strong entity and doing it well. So yes, people will listen.
It’s unclear whether the NBA’s all-time scoring leader actually played a role in his firing.
While she claimed James was deeply invested, Biddle said he wasn’t the only one who wanted her.
When asked if she believed Nichols was involved in her departure, she responded: “I mean, look, she wasn’t that powerful in the end.” But I think the New York Post specifically allowed that at the time Post some narrative. I know where it comes from. “We all know where it comes from.”
Biddle takes over the NBA Countdown role, replacing Sage Steele, who faced backlash for his conservative comments.
However, Biddle insisted things were different, claiming she didn’t have to resort to “stabbing in the back”.
Asked if she was running for Steele to be replaced, Biddle said: “No, I know that’s been circulated as well.”
“I didn’t have to do that. The decision has been made. I think your job should be independent and there shouldn’t be a bunch of backbiting and things happening behind your back. That’s not a good approach.