Rachel Nichols Leaving ESPN, Joining CNN and Turner Sports >>Hollywood

In a bit of a surprising move, popular ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols is leaving the worldwide leader in sports to work for CNN and Turner Sports.

The companies announced that Nichols will anchor a new weekend CNN sports program beginning this year, reporting on a wide range of sports.

Nichols' hiring comes as new CNN President Jeff Zucker puts his stamp on the struggling channel, which he's promised to make more "vibrant and exciting."

Without a doubt, Rachel Nichols will be an important part of expanding CNN's ratings-challenged programming, the former NBC Universal chief Thursday.

Nichols, who worked at ESPN for nine years, said she "couldn't be more excited" about working for CNN and Turner Sports, and she's hitting the ground running.

Her first ass