Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports is reporting that Maria Taylor is closing in on a deal that would see her leave ESPN for NBC. A source describes negotiations as “at the half-yard line. But that can still be a long way in contract negotiations.”
Taylor’s contract at ESPN expires this month. Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported that she was seeking “Stephen A. Smith money” in her next deal. Her current contract at ESPN pays her $1 million annually. The network offered to triple that. Maria Taylor and her representatives want at least $5 million per year.
Financial terms of the negotiations with NBC were not reported, but it sounds like the network has big plans for Taylor. McCarthy reports that her sports duties would include hosting Football Night in America and Notre Dame football. NBC News could also have work for Taylor as well, with a spot on the Today Show being a possibility.
In addition to her contract negotiations, Taylor has also been at the center of a diversity controversy. Earlier this month an audio recording made last year captured Rachel Nichols saying Taylor was being given the studio host role on NBA Finals coverage because ESPN was feeling “diversity pressure.” President Jimmy Pitaro sent a memo to his staff assuring them that was not true.
Taylor is already a star at ESPN and her profile continues to rise. Her spots on NBA Countdown and College GameDay have led to not only increased visibility, but also to a number of commercial deals. Losing her would be a blow to both the network’s College Football and NBA coverage.
