Maria Taylor has a cushy new gig with NBC, as the sports commentator has now become the face of NBA and WNBA coverage for the network. NBC didn't previously have the rights to either league, but that will change in 2025, and they needed to find a new face to run the studio show for both leagues. Taylor is who the network ultimately went with.
According to The Athletic, "Taylor will host NBA studio shows on Sunday and Tuesday nights as part of a group that includes Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter. Taylor will also host select WNBA games on NBC and Peacock when the company begins airing the WNBA in the spring of 2026. (NBC will air the 2026 WNBA semifinals and Finals)."
While Taylor hasn't been covering hoops in recent years, it's not a new field for her whatsoever. Taylor spent seven years at ESPN and, as a result, was featured in their NBA finals, NCAA women's tournament, and NBA countdown coverage.
Maria Taylor to lead NBC's NBA, WNBA, and NFL coverage next season
For those who might be bummed out to hear this because it could mean that Taylor won't be a part of "Football Night in America" coverage, fear not. Awful Announcing reported that "The 'Sunday Night Basketball' franchise won’t launch until the NFL season wraps up, so it’s not expected to interfere with Taylor’s other responsibilities at the network."
This is a huge and well-deserved honor for Taylor, who has put in the work to get to where she is and has done so admirably. She's helped cover the NFL flawlessly during her time with NBC, and now is getting rewarded for it with two more leagues added to her plate.
News hit that NBC acquired the NBA and WNBA in July 2024 on an 11-year deal that will begin in the 2025-2026 season. It's cool to see the WNBA also grouped in here, especially as the league continues to grow.
Surely, Taylor will be great covering the sport, and she'll give the WNBA the great coverage it deserves as well.