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Maria Taylor Being Linked To One Network After Split With ESPN Announced

ESPN reporter Maria Taylor announced today that she will not be extending her contract with the network, and she's already close to signing on somewhere else

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.

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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