Rachel Nichols-Erin Andrews feud escalating out of control

BRISTOL, CT — What began as some lighthearted joking among friends has turned into an all-out feud featuring Rachel Nichols and Erin Andrews, and enveloping nearly the entire ESPN staff.

The riff apparently started on Thursday night, when certain ESPN staffers began taking mock bets about who would win in a catfight between the pure-as-driven-snow Andrews and Nichols, who has more “salsa” to her personality, as Kenny Mayne says. The ersatz pool continued to

Reporters and anchors alike were allegedly choosing sides over the weekend, as Nichols and Andrews prepare to go to battle with each other. Nichols and Andrews apparently heard of the joke pool late Thursday, and started to innocently “talk smack” to each other by the water cooler.

The confrontation started innocently enough, with each person insulting the other’s alma mater, and Nichols tossing out a good natured barb about Andrews coverage of the Little League World Series. Andrews, who did not take nicely to the comment, stated, “At least my drapes match the carpet, if you know what I mean.”

That’s when things got a little crazy. “So Rachel didn’t like to hear that,” said Bob Ley, who was standing by. “She scratches out and pulls at Erin’s hair, and now there’s a full-on girlfight going on. Fortunately the Mets mascot, Mr. Met, was walking through the newsroom at that time and was able to help me break it up.”

Things are not all rosy in the SportsCenter newsroom right now, though. Apparently Andrews found a picture of herself with her eyes poked out when she checked her mail on Friday morning; later in the day, Nichols sat down on her cloth desk chair, only to discover that it had been doused with water.

Andrews was seen enjoying the scene from nearby. “Wet pants,” she laughed. “Little Miss Wetpants!”