Maria Taylor and ESPN are reportedly headed for a divorce over salary dispute

[TMC]

https://nypost.com/2021/06/30/maria-...million-offer/

At the beginning of the pandemic last year, the star NBA Finals host and College Gameday reporter turned down an offer to raise her salary from $1 million to $5 million a year, according to the New York Post's Andrew Marchand. He reports that Taylor was seeking a salary in Stephen A. Smith's "neighborhood" of $8 million per year. But in the aftermath of the pandemic, in which ESPN is reducing the salaries across the board, including among its big names, the cable network is now only offering to raise Taylor's salary to between $2 million to $3 million a year. "It is a substantial raise, but there is another staring contest going on, and the idea that Taylor and ESPN could divorce cannot be counted out," says Marchand. "Adding to the intrigue, Taylor’s contract is set to expire on or around July 20, and the NBA Finals, if it goes seven games, ends on July 22."

[TMC]

Rachel Nichols' leaked phone call disparaging Maria Taylor roils ESPN

Last week, the New York Post reported that Taylor and ESPN were headed for a possible divorce over a dispute over "Stephen A. Smith money." That story may have been planted by ESPN to distract people from the real story: As The New York Times' Kevin Draper reported on Sunday, Nichols said in a private phone call a year ago this month with LeBron James' representatives that she believed her ESPN bosses were advancing Taylor at her expense. “I just want them to go somewhere else — it’s in my contract, by the way; this job is in my contract in writing,” Nichols said, referring to hosting coverage during the NBA finals a few minutes after saying ESPN was “feeling pressure” about racial diversity. "Unbeknown to Nichols, her video camera (in her hotel room) was on, and the call was being recorded to a server at ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Conn.," reports Draper. "It is not clear why her camera was on, but most people at ESPN believe that Nichols, using new technology during a pandemic, did not turn it off properly. It was effectively the remote pandemic version of a hot mic incident. Dozens of ESPN employees have access to the company’s video servers as part of their normal work flow. At least one of these people watched the video on the server, recorded it on a cellphone and shared it with others. Soon, more copies of the conversation were spreading around ESPN, and within hours it reached ESPN executives..." The tape revelation led to Taylor to host NBA Countdown with the stipulation that Nichols not appear on the show. "In Taylor’s view, according to six people who have spoken to her, ESPN executives agreed to the stipulation but violated it almost immediately by allowing Nichols to make short appearances without interacting with Taylor," reports Draper. "ESPN declined to comment about the arrangement." Meanwhile, Draper reports that ESPN’s decision not to punish Nichols was still an “active source of pain” and discussion among co-workers. On Monday, Nichols apologized on ESPN's The Jump after telling The Times that Taylor has refused her texts and phone calls. Taylor declined to comment for the Times' article. Taylor's contract is expected to expire around July 20, according to The New York Post. Because of the pandemic, this year's NBA Finals could end with Game 7 on July 22. Meanwhile, Draper tweeted this morning: "The NBA Finals begin in less than 12 hours and ESPN has not yet announced their commentating and hosting teams, which is unusual."

• UPDATE: ESPN benches Rachel Nichols for NBA Finals coverage, but she'll continue hosting The Jump: Malika Andrews will take over NBA Finals sideline reporting duties from Nichols. "We believe this is best decision for all concerned in order to keep the focus on the NBA Finals," ESPN said in a statement.

ESPN accused of not doing enough to support Black journalists in the wake of the Maria Taylor-Rachel Nichols incident

“ESPN collects Black faces, but it seems like that when those Black faces become Black voices, it’s a problem," says former ESPN star Jemele Hill, arguing that the cable network didn't do enough to support Taylor after Nichols was caught on tape disparaging her. “ESPN has a consistent history of undervaluing Black talent,” Hill adds. “This isn’t a Rachel versus Maria story. This is a story about why they didn’t value Maria enough to allow her to take full ownership of the (NBA Finals) job." But it's not just about Taylor. "Five sources at a range of levels at ESPN confirmed the New York Times’ report of intense stress and unhappiness among many Black employees and other journalists of color," reports the Los Angeles Times' Iliana Limón Romero. "It isn’t limited to Taylor, Hill and other on-air talent, with senior producers and support staff behind the cameras equally frustrated." Romero adds: "Yes, this was an accidentally taped conversation, but it was with a person who has a direct impact on how Taylor does her job. That’s a public smear, regardless of how the conversation was shared within the company. ESPN proudly touts it has hired more women and journalists of color than any other media company, but it also has the most jobs — the most premium jobs — available. The support for its diverse staff is weak. ESPN has few female executives of color with clout needed to resolve conflict based on their clear understanding of the depth of the problems."

[TMC]

Maria Taylor is reportedly nearing a deal to leave ESPN for NBC Sports, possibly hosting Football Night in America

With Taylor's ESPN contract up next week amid a diversity controversy involving colleague Rachel Nichols, Taylor could be moving to NBC Sports, according to Front Office Sports. With her experience on College Gameday, Taylor could succeed current Football Night in America host Mike Tirico when he transitions to replacing Al Michaels in the Sunday Night Football booth. Taylor could also work on NBC’s broadcasts of Notre Dame football and serve as an Olympic correspondent. “The deal’s at the half-yard line. But that can still be a long way in contract negotiations,” a source tells Front Office Sports. Taylor leaving would be another blow to ESPN, which has seen a lot of Black talent exit in recent years amid complaints over lack of diversity in the network's leadership. Taylor was reportedly offered $3 million a year -- triple her current salary -- to renew her contract.

ESPN president responds to the Maria Taylor-Rachel Nichols spat, says he's planning a town hall over the network's diversity

“We respect and acknowledge there are a variety of feelings about what happened and the actions we took,” ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro wrote in the memo sent to staff last Friday. “The details of what took place last year are confidential, nuanced and complicated personnel matters. But understand this – we have a much better story than what you’ve seen this week.” Pitaro added: “I do want to be clear on one thing: Maria Taylor was selected as NBA Countdown host last year because she earned it,” he added. “Please know our commitment is that assignments and opportunities at ESPN are based on merit and any concerns, remarks, or inferences that suggest otherwise have been and will continue to be addressed.”

[GentlemanJim]

Originally Posted by TMC

: As The New York Times' Kevin Draper reported on Sunday, Nichols said in a private phone call a year ago this month with LeBron James' representatives that she believed her ESPN bosses were advancing Taylor at her expense.


"Five sources at a range of levels at ESPN confirmed the New York Times’ report of intense stress and unhappiness among many Black employees and other journalists of color," reports the Los Angeles Times' Iliana Limón Romero. "It isn’t limited to Taylor, Hill and other on-air talent, with senior producers and support staff behind the cameras equally frustrated."."

- -<snip> - -

So, it's acceptable for Black employees and other journalists of color to express "intense stress and unhappiness" over the hiring policies of their employer (in an explicitly racial context), but totally unacceptable for a white employee to do essentially the same thing?

Funny world we live in.

[TVFactFan]

I dont find Maria taylor attractive or all that interesting and this is coming from a black man

[GentlemanJim]

If I was a female talking head, I would have some serious curiosity as to whether that video camera in my hotel room inadvertently being on, and monitored, was really an accident.

[GentlemanJim]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I dont find Maria taylor attractive or all that interesting and this is coming from a black man

I hope she goes to NBC and gets a huge contract, more power to her!....It seems like $3 million a year would be fine for me, I could put up with a lot of emotional abuse for that kind of money... but evidently not her.

[Old School]

SI (click for full article) https://www.si.com/media/2021/07/21/...bc-likely-next



Maria Taylor and ESPN are divorcing – and she is expected to end up with NBC and at the Olympics, The Post has learned.

Taylor, 34, leaves ESPN just weeks after a year-old private tape of leaked comments were reported by the New York Times in which fellow NBA host/reporter Rachel Nichols’ alleged ESPN gave Taylor the Finals hosting job to make up for what Nichols described as the network’s “crappy longtime record on diversity.”

For NBC, if a contract is completed, Taylor is expected to be part of its forthcoming Olympic coverage that begins in earnest on Friday.

While several sources said Taylor is headed to NBC, nothing is official yet. The top network spokesman is in Japan for the Olympics and did not immediately return messages.

If the NBC deal is finalized, she also could be waiting in the on-deck circle to become the host of “Football Night in America,” when Mike Tirico moves to the full-time “Sunday Night” Football play-by-play position in the fall of 2022. It is not fully set that Taylor will replace Tirico, but seems as if it could be a potential fit. Taylor could also have a role on Notre Dame football this season.

Maria’s last assignment for ESPN was last night’s NBA Finals telecast. Comments from Jimmy Pitaro and Maria Taylor.

Comment from Maria Taylor:

“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. Words are inadequate to express my boundless appreciation, and I hope to make them proud.”

Comment from Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content:

“Maria’s remarkable success speaks directly to her abilities and work ethic. There is no doubt we will miss Maria, but we remain determined to continue to build a deep and skilled talent roster that thoroughly reflects the athletes we cover and the fans we serve. While she chose to pursue a new opportunity, we are proud of the work we’ve done together.”

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Old School

SI (click for full article) https://www.si.com/media/2021/07/21/...bc-likely-next



Maria Taylor and ESPN are divorcing – and she is expected to end up with NBC and at the Olympics, The Post has learned.

Taylor, 34, leaves ESPN just weeks after a year-old private tape of leaked comments were reported by the New York Times in which fellow NBA host/reporter Rachel Nichols’ alleged ESPN gave Taylor the Finals hosting job to make up for what Nichols described as the network’s “crappy longtime record on diversity.”

For NBC, if a contract is completed, Taylor is expected to be part of its forthcoming Olympic coverage that begins in earnest on Friday.

While several sources said Taylor is headed to NBC, nothing is official yet. The top network spokesman is in Japan for the Olympics and did not immediately return messages.

If the NBC deal is finalized, she also could be waiting in the on-deck circle to become the host of “Football Night in America,” when Mike Tirico moves to the full-time “Sunday Night” Football play-by-play position in the fall of 2022. It is not fully set that Taylor will replace Tirico, but seems as if it could be a potential fit. Taylor could also have a role on Notre Dame football this season.

Maria’s last assignment for ESPN was last night’s NBA Finals telecast. Comments from Jimmy Pitaro and Maria Taylor.

Comment from Maria Taylor:

“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. Words are inadequate to express my boundless appreciation, and I hope to make them proud.”

Comment from Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content:

“Maria’s remarkable success speaks directly to her abilities and work ethic. There is no doubt we will miss Maria, but we remain determined to continue to build a deep and skilled talent roster that thoroughly reflects the athletes we cover and the fans we serve. While she chose to pursue a new opportunity, we are proud of the work we’ve done together.”

Looks like a man

[Old School]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Looks like a man

There is no need to tear down a soul sister that is doing positive things with her life unless you are just faking the funk and perpetrating a fraud. Her husband is seemingly very happy with her looks and that is really all that matters my internet, soul brother.

[TMC]

Maria Taylor is reportedly already in Tokyo ready to cover the Olympics for NBC

Although a deal for Taylor to work for NBC Sports hasn't been announced, The Athletic's Richard Deitsch reports that she has landed in Tokyo less than two days after her final ESPN assignment at the NBA Finals.

Maria Taylor officially exits ESPN after Rachel Nichols controversy -- she's expected to join NBC and cover the Olympics

Taylor's seven years at ESPN ended last night with her NBA Finals coverage. Taylor, known best for her work on NBA Countdown, Saturday Night Football and College Gameday, and ESPN jointly announced they couldn't reach a contract extension. Taylor is expected to join NBC Sports and be part of its Tokyo Olympics coverage, which begins on Friday. She could also end up hosting Football Night in America, NBC's Sunday Night Football pregame show, succeeding Mike Tirico. Taylor's exit comes two weeks after The New York Times revealed a year-long controversy that stemmed from Nichols' secretly recorded comments disparaging Taylor.

[GentlemanJim]

Originally Posted by TMC

Taylor's exit comes two weeks after The New York Times revealed a year-long controversy that stemmed from Nichols' secretly recorded comments disparaging Taylor.

Funny how even the best day of her life cannot separate itself from the "victim" schtick.