
Maria Taylor and ESPN half methods after leaked audio controversy
Maria Taylor is leaving ESPN after each events failed to achieve an settlement on a contract extension, Taylor and the community introduced Wednesday. The announcement comes weeks after leaked feedback from reporter Rachel Nichols, who made disparaging remarks about Taylor.
“So grateful to (ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro) and all of my nice teammates and associates on the SEC Community, Faculty GameDay, Ladies’s and Males’s faculty basketball, and the NBA Countdown household — the individuals who believed in me, inspired me, pushed me, and lifted me up,” Taylor mentioned. “Phrases are insufficient to specific my boundless appreciation, and I hope to make them proud.”
The NBA Finals broadcast on Tuesday night was Taylor’s final project with the community, the announcement mentioned. The 34-year-old host spent seven years with the community.
Earlier this month, ESPN benched Nichols from reporting on the sideline of this yr’s NBA Finals matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. Within the leaked recording, Nichols, who’s White, criticized ESPN for selecting Taylor to report on the sidelines of final yr’s championship sequence.
“If you should give her extra issues to do since you’re feeling stress about your crappy longtime file on range — which, by the best way, I personally know personally — like, go for it, simply discover it some other place,” the recording mentioned, The New York Instances reported.
Nichols later apologized for her feedback on-air. The announcement Wednesday didn’t point out the controversy.
Within the announcement, Pitaro mentioned the community was happy with Taylor for the work they’ve achieved. “Maria’s exceptional success speaks on to her skills and work ethic,” Pitaro mentioned. “There isn’t a doubt we are going to miss Maria, however we stay decided to proceed to construct a deep and expert expertise roster that totally displays the athletes we cowl and the followers we serve.”
The Nationwide Affiliation of Black Journalists on Wednesday mentioned Pitaro has agreed to satisfy with the group in August to debate challenges the community faces. “Our members who both work at ESPN or previously labored at ESPN are sharing with us deeply troubling tales of their expertise there,” NABJ President Dorothy Tucker mentioned in a press release Wednesday.
“We’re clearly disturbed by what we’re listening to and are keen to satisfy with ESPN to help them in long-overdue modifications that may result in a constructive work atmosphere for Black journalists and media professionals.”