Maria Taylor makes her NBC Olympics coverage debut days after signing off from ESPN

The New York Times

Three days after working on ESPN's NBA Finals coverage and two days after announcing her departure from ESPN after seven years, Taylor made a surprise appearance before NBC's rebroadcast of the Opening Ceremony Friday night, confirming her new job with NBC Sports. Taylor's former ESPN colleague Mike Tirico introduced her. “We are thrilled to welcome a new member to our NBC sports and Olympic family: Maria Taylor,” Tirico told viewers. “Maria, welcome to Tokyo and the team.” Taylor then introduced a short feature about the U.S. women’s gymnastics team that she narrated. In a press release, NBC Sports said Taylor will become a host and contributor for Football Night in America and Super Bowls, including next year's Super Bowl LVI, which will take place during the Winter Olympics. “Maria has excelled in a wide range of roles at marquee events, and will be a powerful addition to our team," said Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports. "We are always looking to improve, and Maria is going to make us better. We are very excited for her to join us right away in Tokyo." Taylor's NBC Olympics debut came after a recently revealed tumultuous year after she got word that ESPN colleague Rachel Nichols made disparaging comments about her  last July. Taylor accused ESPN executives of "feeling pressure" on diversity in giving Taylor NBC Finals hosting duties. ESPN's handling of the incident is said to have led to Taylor's departure once her contract was up on Tuesday. "Literally, hosting the Olympics, Football Night in America, and the Super Bowl is what I dreamed of when I started in television – and this would not be possible without standing on the shoulders of all of those who came before me and made this path possible. And I plan to pay it forward," Taylor said in a statement. ALSO: ESPN already deleted Taylor's online bio.