With ESPN reporter Maria Taylor’s contract expiring, many have been speculating on her future for a good while now. She has also been in the news after colleague Rachel Nichols accused ESPN of giving her NBA assignments because of her race during a leaked phone call.
Now it has been announced that ESPN could not reach a new contract agreement with Maria Taylor. And the NBA Finals were her last assignment with the network.
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“So thankful to Jimmy and all of my great teammates and friends at the SEC Network, College GameDay, Women’s and Men’s college basketball, and the NBA Countdown family — the people who believed in me, encouraged me, pushed me, and lifted me up,” Taylor said, via ESPN Press Room. “Words are inadequate to express my boundless appreciation, and I hope to make them proud.”
Maria Taylor has been in talks with a couple other networks, but it appears that NBC is currently the front runner to land the talented reporter.
NEWS: Maria Taylor & ESPN are divorcing with NBC likely to be next stop for her, The Post has learned.https://t.co/nqDkYjvvJz
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) July 21, 2021
With the Olympics around the corner, NBC has to move quickly if they want Maria Taylor to be a part of their coverage.
It’s not clear (and likely never will be) whether Rachel Nichols’ comments played a role in Taylor leaving ESPN. Perhaps she just felt it was time for a change of scenery.
Maria Taylor will now join a long list of respected reporters and writers who have parted way with ESPN over the past year.
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