![Maria Taylor leaves ESPN following Rachel Nichols comments](https://news.internationalpk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Maria-Taylor-leaves-ESPN-following-Rachel-Nichols-comments-1024x576.jpg)
Nichols apologized on air following the news, saying she was “deeply, deeply sorry I am for disappointing those I hurt, particularly Maria Taylor.”
ESPN said on Wednesday that “after much discussion, an agreement on a contract extension could not be reached.”
Taylor thanked ESPN for her time spent there.
“So thankful to Jimmy and all of my great teammates and friends at the SEC Network, College GameDay, Women’s and Men’s college basketball, and the NBA Countdown family — the people who believed in me, encouraged me, pushed me, and lifted me up,” Taylor said in a statement. “Words are inadequate to express my boundless appreciation, and I hope to make them proud.”
Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN and sports content, added that Taylor’s “remarkable success speaks directly to her abilities and work ethic.”
“There is no doubt we will miss Maria, but we remain determined to continue to build a deep and skilled talent roster that thoroughly reflects the athletes we cover and the fans we serve,” he said in a statement. “While she chose to pursue a new opportunity, we are proud of the work we’ve done together.”