NBC Sports Anchor Maria Taylor: Former HBCU Reporter

Over the last five years, Maria Taylor has emerged as one of the most dynamic sports anchors in the industry, now thriving at NBC Sports. Her impressive career trajectory took flight during her tenure at ESPN and continued to ascend when she transitioned to NBC, following a competitive bidding war between the networks. Before she became a household name, Taylor cut her teeth as a sideline reporter in the SIAC.

Greg Moore, former SIAC commissioner, recalls hiring Taylor for SIAC broadcasts in 2012. She honed her skills covering games like Fort Valley vs. Benedict, Morehouse vs. Clark Atlanta, and Stillman vs. Clark Atlanta. While she currently commands millions for high-profile events like the Olympics and Football Night in America, her early days saw her earning just a few hundred dollars per assignment.

“During the interview, I remember asking her about her career aspirations. Her response was ‘Oprah.’ I thought to myself, well there you have it,” Moore shared.

Moore is modest about his role in Taylor’s rise, noting that her potential was evident. “She had a physical presence (she’s 6’2” tall) and an intellectual presence. She was the complete package. Anyone could have seen that,” he said.

Taylor spent a season on HBCU broadcasts, though she didn’t attend an HBCU herself. She was a dual-sport athlete, playing volleyball and basketball at the University of Georgia from 2005-2009. After college, Taylor worked as a reporter and host for IMG College, covering her alma mater for three years. Her stint with SIAC in 2012 led to her joining ESPN the following year.

Her career at ESPN saw her working the sidelines for college football, most notably on the SEC Network starting in 2014. In 2017, her visibility increased when she joined College Gameday as a reporter and host. Taylor’s final role at ESPN was hosting NBA Countdown, which she left the day after the 2021 NBA Finals to join NBC.

Source: HBCU Gameday