Maria Taylor is moving on and happy with the opportunity that came her way following her controversial split with ESPN.
Taylor joined NBC after her ESPN exit, and her first assignment was covering the Olympics in Tokyo. As she was welcomed by her new colleagues, the 34-year-old reporter couldn't help but express her excitement to join a new team and even cover one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Olympic dream come true ❤️@nbc #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/Qlcoz8rBVh
— Maria Taylor (@MariaTaylor) July 24, 2021
Maria Taylor's last assignment with ESPN was covering the NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. Her contract expired after the series and she was unable to continue after failing to reach a new deal with the sports network.
However, it didn't take long for her to find a new home. It has already been reported previously that she was highly sought by NBC, and that proved to be true when she was revealed as the NBC reporter for the Tokyo Olympics.
Aside from her Olympics gig, Taylor will also work on Football Night in America and Super Bowls with NBC.
“Incredibly excited to have the opportunity to work with Pete, Molly, Sam, Fred, and the entire NBC Sports family,” Maria Taylor said in a statement, per NBC. “Literally, hosting the Olympics, Football Night in America, and the Super Bowl is what I dreamed of when I started in television – and this would not be possible without standing on the shoulders of all of those who came before me and made this path possible. And I plan to pay it forward.”
For those not in the know, Maria Taylor's NBC hiring came after her contract dispute with ESPN and an audio leak involving Rachel Nichols. In the said leak, Nichols was heard venting her frustrations about Taylor getting the sideline reporter job in the 2020 NBA Finals in the Orlando bubble. The veteran broadcaster, who is white, then blamed ESPN's attempt for “diversity” for the decision.
Rachel Nichols: “If you need to give her more things to do because you are feeling pressure about your crappy longtime record on diversity — which, by the way, I know personally from the female side of it — like, go for it. Just find it somewhere else.” pic.twitter.com/aB5MifujuX
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 4, 2021
With the issue likely over now, here's to more success for Maria Taylor!
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