Maria Taylor and ESPN Jointly announced on Wednesday that after failing to reach an agreement on the renewal, she will leave the network. A few weeks ago, ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols (Rachel Nichols) claimed that Taylor was given a position because of race, and leaked comments were made public.
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In a statement released on Wednesday, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said: “Maria’s extraordinary success directly illustrates her ability and professional ethics. There is no doubt that we will miss Maria, but we are still determined. Continue to build an in-depth and skilled talent list that thoroughly reflects the athletes we report and the fans we serve. Although she chooses to seek new opportunities, we are proud of the work we have done together.”
Taylor thanked Pitaro and her former colleagues in the statement.
“Thank you very much Jimmy and all my great teammates and friends on SEC Network, College game day, Women’s and men’s college basketball, and Countdown to NBA Family-those who believe in me, encourage me, push me, and support me,” Taylor said in the statement.
“Words are not enough to express my infinite gratitude, and I want to make them proud,” she added.
A kind Press release ESPN points out NBA The finals aired on Tuesday night was Taylor’s last assignment for the network.
Taylor, 34, has worked on the network for seven years. In addition to the NBA, she also reported on college basketball and college football. There is no announcement about where she will work next.
She announced her resignation after a story on July 4th New York Times It contains published comments extracted from leaked audio by Rachel Nichols. According to reports, in the recording, Nichols said, “If you need to do more for her because you feel pressured by your long-term poor diversity record-by the way, I personally know-for example, Go ahead, just look elsewhere.”
The leaked audio is said to have been recorded after white Nichols complained that Taylor was assigned to the sidelines of the 2020 NBA Championship Series. Nichols later apologized for the comments on the radio, and was subsequently disqualified from reporting on the sidelines of this year’s NBA Finals. Today’s statement did not mention this incident.
according to eraHowever, Taylor is said to be dissatisfied with ESPN’s handling of disputes because the network suspended a black female producer from sharing recordings instead of imposing harsher punishment on Nichols.
Taylor’s contract was originally scheduled to expire on July 20, but she reached a temporary agreement with ESPN to stay until the end of the NBA Finals. However, today, Taylor and ESPN said they could not agree on a further contract renewal.
