Maria Taylor, the American sportscaster for NBC Sports, was born on May 12, 1987, to her parents, Steve and Suzette Taylor.
Raised in Cookeville, Tennessee, she grew up surrounded by love, discipline, and the values of hard work that shaped both her personal life and her professional career.
Maria is the middle child in her family, with an older brother named Steve and a younger sister named Vanna.
Both of Maria Taylor’s parents are proud alumni of Tennessee Tech University, where their own journeys began before inspiring their children to pursue education and excellence.
Her father, Steve Taylor, was a standout student-athlete in the early 1980s who held the men’s basketball shot-blocking record at Tennessee Tech.
He later served as an assistant coach before embarking on a long and distinguished career with the FBI, where he worked for 27 years before retiring in 2015.
Today my Dad retired frm the FBI after 27yrs of service Ive grown up w/the perfect example of a loving husband/father pic.twitter.com/gAQ8anUQSP
— Maria Taylor (@MariaTaylor) January 9, 2015
His contributions to the university were recognized in 2022 when he was named to Tennessee Tech’s Men’s Basketball All-Century Team.
Former Tech coach Frank Harrell praised his impact, noting:
Steve made a huge impact on the basketball program. The people he recruited made us have really successful teams. Steve was always proud of Tennessee Tech and still attends alumni functions.
Steve made a huge impact on the basketball program. The people he recruited made us have really successful teams. Steve was always proud of Tennessee Tech and still comes back to alumni functions.
Via Tntech
As a father, Steve Taylor had a profound influence on Maria. Growing up with a coach instilled in her a passion for athletics, exposing her to discipline, teamwork, and competition from an early age.
These lessons carried into her own sports career in volleyball and basketball, eventually giving her credibility when she transitioned into broadcasting.
In addition to his career accomplishments, Steve was a protective and guiding presence in the lives of his children.
Maria once shared a deeply personal story about her brother’s run-in with police when, at 19, he was taken to jail after an officer claimed to see “sticks and stems” in his car.
Steve, drawing on his experience as an FBI agent, intervened and quickly had the baseless charges dismissed. He reminded the officers that their duty was not only to catch criminals but also to keep good kids out of the system.
Maria’s mother, Suzette Taylor, also played a vital role in shaping her daughter’s journey.
Professionally, she served as the CFO for the Institute of Paper Science and Technology at Georgia Tech, but despite her demanding career, she always prioritized family first.
Suzette’s steady support brought balance to the household and instilled in Maria the importance of education, faith, and perseverance.
Maria often credits her mother with providing the stability and encouragement that allowed her to thrive in both academics and athletics.
Faith has been another cornerstone passed down from her parents. Maria has openly shared that her Christian beliefs are central to her life and career.
She attributes her opportunities in broadcasting to her faith in God, believing that her relationship with Christ ensures that “all things work together for the good.”
In 2022, Maria posted on Instagram about buying back her grandmother’s house after it was lost, calling it a Christmas miracle.
For her, the house symbolized her grandmother’s fight for the American Dream and her hope of passing wealth to the next generation.
Maria described how important it was to restore that piece of family history, not just for herself but to heal her mother’s heartbreak.
Together, Steve’s dedication to sports and public service, and Suzette’s balance of career and family, laid the foundation for Maria Taylor’s remarkable journey.
Their guidance and values helped her grow from a dedicated athlete into one of the most recognized and respected sportscasters in the country.
Maria Taylor is a Mom!
Maria Taylor and her husband, Jonathan Lee Hemphill, tied the knot on February 12, 2021. The couple later became proud parents when they welcomed their first child, a son named Roman Ryan Taylor Hemphill, on December 24, 2023.
Just a week after his birth, Taylor shared the joyous news on Instagram, calling Roman “the best gift 💙.”
In July 2023, Taylor revealed her pregnancy by posting photos of her growing baby bump, a sonogram, and a pair of tiny infant shoes.
In her heartfelt caption, she reflected on her long journey to motherhood, saying, “The last 3 years have been some of the most physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging years of my life. My journey to motherhood has not been a straight path.”
She also admitted there were times when she felt her body was “betraying” her and moments when she wanted to give up. Still, she shared that it was placed on her heart to never let go of the dream of becoming a mother.
Throughout the process, Taylor leaned on the unwavering support of her husband, family, and friends, who stood by her side as she traveled across the country for medical appointments.
Her manager also revealed that Taylor continued working while pregnant, covering events such as the French Open, college football, and the NFL season, staying on-air just a week before Roman was born.
Now, with their son, Roman, bringing new joy into their lives, Maria and Jonathan are embracing the blessings and responsibilities that come with being loving and supportive parents.
Their journey together is a testament to perseverance, faith, and the joy of finally becoming parents.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Taylor earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Georgia, where she played volleyball and basketball from 2005 to 2009.
- In 2025, she became the lead studio host for NBC’s NBA and WNBA coverage.
- She married Rodney Blackstock in 2019, but they divorced in 2021.
