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People File • Broadcaster

Maria Taylor

Maria Taylor is an American sportscaster and television host known for her work at NBC Sports and previously ESPN.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Maria Taylor is an American sportscaster and television host currently at NBC Sports, known for her work covering major events like the NFL, NBA, and the Olympics.

What it is

Maria Taylor, born Suzette Maria Taylor on May 12, 1987, is a sportscaster and host. She studied broadcast journalism at the University of Georgia, later earning an MBA there. She started her career in sports broadcasting before joining ESPN in 2014 and moving to NBC Sports in 2021.

Key details

At NBC Sports, Taylor became the first female full-time host of Football Night in America. She has also covered the Super Bowl, Olympics, NBA programming, and the NFL Draft. At ESPN, she appeared on College GameDay, SEC Nation, NBA Countdown, and college football and basketball coverage.

Why it matters

Taylor has been recognized by Adweek as one of the Most Powerful Women in Sports and received a Gracie Award for Outstanding Broadcaster. TIME also included her in its TIME100 Next list. Her career highlights the growing presence of women in major sports broadcasting roles.

In short

  • First female full-time host of NBC Sports' Football Night in America.
  • Previously worked at ESPN covering college sports, NBA, and NFL.
  • Recognized by Adweek, TIME, and with a Gracie Award.
  • Studied broadcast journalism and earned an MBA at the University of Georgia.

Quick questions

Who is Maria Taylor?
Maria Taylor is an American sports broadcaster and television host who works for NBC Sports and previously worked for ESPN.
What is Maria Taylor known for?
She is known for hosting major sports studio shows and covering events including the NFL, NBA, college sports, and the Olympics.
When was Maria Taylor born?
She was born on May 12, 1987.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Taylor_(sportscaster)
    Supports: Full name, birth date, nationality, career overview, prior ESPN and current NBC Sports work.
  2. Maria Taylor official site — http://www.mariataylortv.com/
    Supports: NBC Sports role, first female full-time host of Football Night in America, major hosting credits, awards, education.
  3. ENGAGE — https://www.letsengage.com/talent/maria-taylor
    Supports: NBC Sports role, ESPN background, major event coverage, recognition.
  4. USA Today — https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2021/07/23/nbc-hires-maria-taylor-broadcaster-host/8055560002/
    Supports: NBC hiring, transition from ESPN, NBC hosting and contributor roles.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter — https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/nbc-taps-maria-taylor-as-host-of-football-night-in-america-1235145628/
    Supports: Appointment as host of Football Night in America, documentary project, prior ESPN work.
  6. University of Georgia — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbOyuRDF_PA
    Supports: Education, roles at ESPN, and alumni award reference.
  7. LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-taylor-ba330071
    Supports: Education details, ESPN role, and sports coverage background.