But, David, what does this tell us about ESPN, who, despite all this, is still really considered the leader in sports networks?įOLKENFLIK: Yeah. Now, you suggested this was largely about money, and there are reports that Taylor might end up at NBC and could even be at the Olympics. It's been a whole awkward situation there. But, you know, it was interesting to notice a lot of hustle to handle it after it was public and perhaps not so delicately handled in the year in between.
MARTINEZ: How did ESPN handle the fallout of Rachel Nichols' remarks?įOLKENFLIK: Well, they essentially found that Taylor was unwilling to have Nichols appear on the "NBA Countdown" show and, after some back-and-forth, suggesting maybe they would tape Nichols' appearances, said that Nichols would not appear as a sideline reporter during the NBA playoffs finals at all.
That was circulated within ESPN last year and caused a real ruckus, particularly among African American colleagues, and then once more rupture when it was reported earlier this summer by The New York Times. A lot of folks at the network think Taylor is tremendous talent. Like, you're not going to find it with me and taking my thing away.įOLKENFLIK: Nichols there referring to it as her thing, as though somehow Taylor wasn't deserving. RACHEL NICHOLS: If you need to give her more things to do because you're feeling pressure about your really crappy long-time record on diversity - which, by the way, I, myself, like, know personally from the female side of it - like, go for it. Here's a clip of what she said that was posted by The New York Times. Rachel Nichols is a notable reporter and host at the network, herself white, was caught on the - effectively a hot mic a year ago saying that while she wanted diversity at ESPN, she sure didn't want those gains to come at her expense and suggested that Taylor was promoted to be an "NBA Countdown" host over Nichols because of race. This year, they're offering about 3 million, still about tripling of her salary, but not what she wanted. And after the pandemic hit, they really were wiped out for the year, asking for major hosts to give money back to the network.
She had wanted something like 8 million last year, which is in line with some of their highest-paid figures. David, so why is Maria Taylor leaving ESPN?ĭAVID FOLKENFLIK, BYLINE: Well, you certainly got to say it's because of the money. NPR's media correspondent David Folkenflik joins us to talk more about this. Contract talks between Taylor and ESPN had also broken down more than once. MARTINEZ: Taylor's departure comes weeks after The New York Times reported on tensions within the network over a white colleague's recorded comments that suggested Taylor may have gotten a more prominent role because she's Black. Her last assignment on ESPN was Tuesday's NBA finals, when the Milwaukee Bucks won the championship. A rising star at ESPN, Maria Taylor, has walked away from the network.
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