ESPN accused of not doing enough to support Black journalists in the wake of the Maria Taylor-Rachel Nichols incident

Los Angeles Times

“ESPN collects Black faces, but it seems like that when those Black faces become Black voices, it’s a problem," says former ESPN star Jemele Hill, arguing that the cable network didn't do enough to support Taylor after Nichols was caught on tape disparaging her. “ESPN has a consistent history of undervaluing Black talent,” Hill adds. “This isn’t a Rachel versus Maria story. This is a story about why they didn’t value Maria enough to allow her to take full ownership of the (NBA Finals) job." But it's not just about Taylor. "Five sources at a range of levels at ESPN confirmed the New York Times’ report of intense stress and unhappiness among many Black employees and other journalists of color," reports the Los Angeles Times' Iliana Limón Romero. "It isn’t limited to Taylor, Hill and other on-air talent, with senior producers and support staff behind the cameras equally frustrated." Romero adds: "Yes, this was an accidentally taped conversation, but it was with a person who has a direct impact on how Taylor does her job. That’s a public smear, regardless of how the conversation was shared within the company. ESPN proudly touts it has hired more women and journalists of color than any other media company, but it also has the most jobs — the most premium jobs — available. The support for its diverse staff is weak. ESPN has few female executives of color with clout needed to resolve conflict based on their clear understanding of the depth of the problems."