Maria Taylor reveals moment she realized she had to leave ESPN after ManningCast appearance

Maria Taylor’s tumultuous exit from ESPN helped her realize she’s not defined by those four letters, or any other job.In a TikTok video, the NBC Sports broadcaster was candid about their public breakup in 2021 while addressing her appearance on ESPN’s “ManningCast” with Peyton and Eli Manning on Monday.“So (Monday) night I was on my former employer’s network, let’s talk about it,” Taylor began in a “get ready with me” video on Tuesday, adding working at ESPN was her “dream job” while in college at UGA.“I worked for 10 years at ESPN and loved my time there, but the ending came a little tumultuously.”Taylor left ESPN, where she worked from 2013-2021, after then-colleague Rachel Nichols made disparaging “diversity” comments about her in leaked audio, which was made public in July 2021.

She joined NBC Sports that same month.“But then came a time when I had the opportunity to really decide what I wanted to for my life moving forward and if where I was was the best place for me, and as we all know… it’s hard to go through change,” she said.

“But I knew in my heart of hearts that it was time.I honestly just needed more opportunities to spend time with my family to start a family and at the level I was going and the work that I was doing, I didn’t think I would have the time.

I still wanted to work at a very high level, but I just wanted to focus on very important quality events.“And I also felt like the relationship had ran its course.

And it’s so funny because when I was making my final decision, someone was making the case that ‘well if you leave here then you’ll never ever be on television again — like no one will ever see you again.’“And I remember being like, ‘The ways in which I don’t care whether or not anyone ever sees me again’ — as long as I see checks clearing into my bank account.And at that moment I knew I was onto something else.“And to be honest, I also kind of felt like it was just...