Maria Taylor is a journalist who works as a sports analyst for the ABC network, following in the footsteps of others who came before her.
Being a woman is a difficult job. Furthermore, what women face on a daily basis is something that males do not and will never face. When a woman of color involves, the situation becomes much bleaker. In recent years, the situation appears to have substantially changed.
Biography of Maria Taylor
Suzette Maria Taylor, known professionally as Maria Taylor, was born in Alpharetta, Georgia, parents Suzette and Steve Taylor. She was also born on May 12, 1987, and is rumored to be the Taylor family’s only child.
Furthermore, it is clear that the analyst is an American citizen and a proud African-American woman. Taylor also went to Centennial High School and has been a big sports fan since she was a kid. Maria made it a point to pursue her passions after being accepted to Centennial, and she was fairly successful in doing so. Similarly, the African-American had a slew of awards and recognitions to back up her claim that she was a cracker jar.
Taylor, for example, was named to the Atlanta Tip-Off Team of the Year, was named a Fulton County Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and was a three-time All-Region pick. She was also named Offensive MVP in high school and an All-State selection during her senior year.
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Maria was named to the USA Volleyball Junior National A2 Team in 2004 as a result of her outstanding athletic achievements. These accomplishments eventually helped her secure a graduate athletic scholarship at the University of Georgia.
Similarly, the Alpharetta native continued to play basketball and volleyball at the University, earning All-SEC volleyball honors during her time there.
Maria was fourth in the number of career kills with 1729 and overall points with 2020 as her college career drew to a close. Despite not pursuing a professional career, her love of athletics evolved into a career as an analyst, which is likely why the Georgian is so precise and articulate as a reporter.
Career: Sports Analyst
Maria worked as a reporter for the IMG College during her college years before landing a huge job. Meanwhile, the soon-to-be sportscaster appeared on SEC Men’s Basketball Tonight, Sports Nite, and Dawg Report as a guest.
Taylor also reported for ESPN2 on Saturday-night primetime college football telecasts as well as the Orange Bowl for the past two years. Aside from that, the Alpharetta native worked as a broadcaster for NCAA Women’s Basketball Shows and Tournaments. Maria’s fame grew as a result of her ability to handle all that was thrown at her, and several media firms wanted to sign her.
Taylor handled her hosting duties with grace alongside Brent Musburger and Jesse Palmer. She then had the option to fill in as a commentator for other programs, including women’s volleyball and basketball. Instead, in 2014, the Georgia-based sportscaster agreed to join ESPN’s College Gameday section as a reporter and host, replacing Samantha Ponder. Taylor was also covering the Georgia-Oklahoma University playoffs at the same time.
In 2018, she was also given the honor of hosting the College Football Playoff National Championship game between Alabama and Georgia. Apart from that, Taylor enjoys working as a sideline reporter for the ABC network, where he covers Saturday Night Football games with the help of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit.
Husband & Wedding
A married lady is an African-American sportscaster. Rodney Blackstock is the man who has succeeded to win the lovely journalist’s heart. Similarly, the two met for the first time in 2014 while watching the Charlotte Hornets play.
Rodney also tried to strike up a discussion. Simultaneously, the two exchanged phone numbers and began messaging often. None of them realized they were falling in love. Taylor stated at one point that when she first saw him, she felt weak in the knees and had a “that’s the one” feeling. Rodney and Maria began dating following that, and eight months later, the former proposed to Maria.
For the sportscaster, it was a no-brainer. They were supposed to marry in June 2016, but they both felt that things were going too quickly and that wedding bells would have to wait. Rodney planned a romantic proposal with a flower-embellished halo ring while on a trek someplace in Los Angeles. She answered yes this time and was ready to take the first step toward a happy married life.
Finally, on May 5, 2019, the couple was united in holy marriage in a picturesque setting overlooking the ocean at the Hilton Sandestin in Destin, Florida. Maria, too, looked stunning in an all-white bridal gown designed by Eve of Milady.
Why did Maria Taylor leave ESPN and join NBC?
Maria Taylor, the host of NBA Countdown and an ESPN reporter, announced her departure from the organization on Wednesday. This discovery comes less than a month after a New York Times story showed that, despite being a “rising star” at ESPN, Taylor spent nearly a year attempting to get the business to discipline a white coworker who claimed Taylor was only hired for her hosting job because of her race. Rachel Nichols, the white reporter in question, made these racist remarks about Taylor during a phone call that was later leaked within the organization.
After the incident broke, Nichols apologized to Taylor on TV during the ESPN show The Jump, but her apology was a year too late. ESPN’s failure to hold Nichols accountable, in favor of disciplining the Black digital video producer who admitted to providing the footage to Taylor, is said to have contributed to the company’s ongoing racial tensions. Taylor’s decision to not renew her contract comes as no surprise.
Taylor’s contract with ESPN, which she had been with since 2014, was about to expire when the NY Times piece was published, but she agreed to a short-term extension in order to finish out the NBA finals. Taylor is close to sealing a deal with NBC, according to the New York Post, in which she would cover the Tokyo Olympics and maybe be part in the network’s football coverage in the future.
Net worth
Maria, in example, has been a reporter for almost a decade and has acquired a staggering $2 million net worth over that time. The African-American sportscaster worked for ESPN during her career, thus she most certainly made a good living.
According to reports, Taylor earns an average annual salary of $87,885 every year. Furthermore, her salary were significantly increased upon contract renewal, implying that her net worth will increase in a few years.
In addition, her coverage of women’s sports and other channels may increase her earnings. Maria, meantime, is reportedly paid $100,000 per year as a sideline reporter under an agreement with ESPN.
Most significantly, the Georgian enjoys a lavish lifestyle, which she is able to afford thanks to her lucrative salary. Maria, on the other hand, is as generous as they come. To put it another way, the sportscaster participates in a variety of charitable activities from time to time.
Quick facts about Maria Taylor
Maria Taylor is a journalist who works as a sports analyst for the ABC network, following in the footsteps of others who came before her.
Suzette Maria Taylor, known professionally as Maria Taylor, was born in Alpharetta, Georgia, parents Suzette and Steve Taylor. She was also born on May 12, 1987. She is currently 34 years old.
A married lady is an African-American sportscaster. Rodney Blackstock is the man who has succeeded to win the lovely journalist’s heart. Similarly, the two met for the first time in 2014 while watching the Charlotte Hornets play.
Maria, in example, has been a reporter for almost a decade and has acquired a staggering $2 million net worth over that time. The African-American sportscaster worked for ESPN during her career, thus she most certainly made a good living.
| Full Name | Suzette Maria Taylor |
| Birth Date | May 12, 1987 |
| Birth Place | Alpharetta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Nick Name | Maria |
| Religion | Undefined |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Age | 34 Years Old |
| Height | 6’2″ |
| Weight | 60 kg |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Married | Yes |
| Husband | Rodney Blackstock |
| Children | None |
| Profession | Sports Analyst, Host |
| Net Worth | $2 million |