Maria Taylor has been a recognizable face in sports broadcasting, and now she’s back in frame as the NBA returns to NBC. The veteran host was recently named the lead anchor for NBC’s league coverage, marking the network’s first pro-basketball broadcast in over two decades.

Taylor’s polished presence stood out, and her presence next to legends like Tracy McGrady, Carmelo Anthony, and Vince Carter might have left people wondering: What is the reporter’s background?

Who is Maria Taylor?

Maria Taylor is an award-winning sports journalist, host, and producer who serves as NBC Sports’ lead studio host. She gained prominence at ESPN before moving to NBC in 2021, and became the first woman to host Football Night in America, the most-watched show in US Sports.

She’s known for her versatility, having covered various significant events: the NFL Draft, the NBA Finals, the Tokyo, Beijing, and Paris Olympics, and the Super Bowl, and she covered most of these in 10 months from 2021-2022.

This October, she has taken on the groundbreaking role of being the primary host of NBA on NBC, leading the pre- and post-game coverage for the brand new revival of the network’s NBA broadcast with the opening night matchup between the OKC Thunder and the Houston Rockets.

Her debut featured familiar nostalgia and energy, even the famous Roundball Rock theme.

Maria Taylor’s Ethnicity and Background

Maria Taylor was born to Steve and Suzette Taylor on May 12th, 1987, in Cookeville, Tennessee. She and her parents are Black in ethnicity and of American nationality.

Her father was a coach for Tennessee Tech University. Still, she attended the University of Georgia, where she was a standout volleyball and basketball player, for which she earned All-SEC honors for four straight seasons. She also won a bronze medal during the US Volleyball Championship’s Open Division.

It was also here that Taylor began her career in journalism and media. She earned a degree in broadcast journalism and delivered a commencement address at the university in 2021, commemorating 60 years since its integration.

Taylor has also been active in the community, co-founding a nonprofit to support minorities and women pursuing careers in sports.

She also served as reporter and host for IMG College at the University of Georgia for three years, appearing on various studio shows.

Maria Taylor’s Career Highlights

Taylor has received many accolades over her career, including recognition at the 2025 Sports Emmy Awards, where NBC’s coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics won multiple awards.

She was also named one of Adweek‘s ‘Most Powerful Women in Sports’ in 2021, and featured as one of the TIME100 Next list members in 2022, highlighting her as a leader in her field, shaping the future.

Taylor has also racked up many production credits, including a currently in-production eight-part documentary series on the history of Black quarterbacks in the NFL.

Maria Taylor’s Husband and Kids

Since 2021, Maria Taylor has been married to Jonathan Lee Hemphill, a New York-based art dealer and businessman.

The couple married in February 2021 after maintaining a low-profile relationship for several years.

Hemphill studied at the University of Oxford and co-founded Paddle, an online platform for luxury and art auctions.

He also leads Squared Circles, an AI-driven agency that partners with well-known brands such as Spotify, Nike, and Adidas.

Maria and Jonathan have known each other since high school and welcomed a child, Roman Ryan Taylor Hemphill, in December 2023.

Taylor penned an emotional letter about her struggles with pregnancy and praised her husband for being supportive in her time of need. Taylor and Hemphill now reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

Maria Taylor is continuing to expand her legacy as one of the pioneering female figures in sports media.

Whether hosting Olympic coverage, leading the NBA’s return, or balancing her family life, Taylor has embodied professionalism and progress in every stop.

Her journey from college athlete to Emmy-winning media member represents a resilient and authentic blueprint for women in sports.