Maria Taylor is a well-known American sports broadcaster. She has won many fans for her skill. At times, people ask: who is Maria Taylor’s husband? It is a fair question. She is private about her personal world. But she has shared bits of her story in public. In this article, you will read about her current husband, her ex, and how her life and career weave together. Trust me, it’s a real, inspiring journey.
Maria Taylor was born on May 12, 1987, in Cookeville, Tennessee. She loved sports from a young age. She went to the University of Georgia. There, she played volleyball and basketball. She trained hard and learned how to lead a team.
After college, she joined ESPN. She worked her way up fast. She covered college football, NBA games, and big sports events across the country. People liked her clear voice and strong focus.
In 2021, she chose to move to NBC Sports. She took on bigger shows. She now hosts Sunday Night Football. She also covers the Olympics. She brings skill and confidence to every broadcast.
Her sports background and strong on-air style make her stand out. Today, she is one of the most respected names in American sports media.
Maria Taylor grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia. She played sports when she was young. In college, she joined the University of Georgia. You know, she was not just any athlete. She played volleyball and basketball at UGA. She learned discipline, teamwork, and hard work on those teams. That early sports life helped shape her into a strong person. From there, she built her path into sports media, and that path gave her a big platform.
Maria’s family was close. Her parents pushed her to follow her dreams. She had a stable home base, and that grounded her. She was smart in school and in life. She kept her head down when things got busy. Then she chose to move into broadcasting. She believed she could do more than just play. She saw a future in telling stories about sports. That vision stayed with her.
After college, Maria Taylor started her career in sports journalism. She got small gigs first, like covering local sports. She did web work, she did sideline reports. Over time, big networks noticed her. ESPN came calling. At ESPN, she covered college football, college basketball, and big live games. She got new chances to show what she could do. Her on-air style was calm, honest, and real.
Later, she moved to NBC Sports. That was a big deal. She did big events, like the Olympic coverage. She also became a host on Sunday Night Football. That move from ESPN to NBC showed how trusted she was. Plus, she tackled big broadcasts. She reported in a way that stood out. People saw her as someone who really understood sports and people.
Maria has many big wins in her career. She hosted top-tier shows. She was a lead reporter at ESPN for college football and basketball. Later, she anchored NBC’s Olympic broadcasts. She also worked on Sunday Night Football. Each role made her more visible and respected. More than that, she earned praise for her calm, smart delivery.
She did not just talk about scores. She told stories. She interviewed players, coaches, and fans. She brought heart to each game. She helped viewers feel the weight of big moments. Over time, she became more than a reporter — she became a voice in sports media. Many say she is a role model for women in sports journalism. That respect came from real work, not just fame.

Jonathan Lee Hemphill is Maria Taylor’s husband now. He is a private man. He is not on TV like Maria. He works in business. He is calm, kind, and steady. He keeps his life mostly offline. Maria and Jonathan wed in 2021. Their wedding was small and quiet. They wanted to share their joy, but not their every move. They showed that love can be simple, even for a public figure.
Jonathan is not just “Maria’s husband.” He is her best friend. He supports her career, trust me. He helps her balance life, work, and rest. Because of his low profile, the world does not know much. But from what she has shared, he is thoughtful and loyal. He is not loud in the media. He prefers to stay in the background. That makes their bond feel real.
- He married Maria Taylor in 2021.
- He works in a non-public business role.
- He values privacy and avoids the spotlight.
- He and Maria share a deep trust.
- He is steady, supportive, and calm.
They met at some point before 2021. They kept things low-key, very low. They dated quietly. Then, in 2021, they said “I do.” Their wedding was simple and intimate. They invited close friends and family. After marriage, they did not post too much on social media. They protect their privacy. They now live a balanced life. Maria continues her stellar career. Jonathan stands by her.
Here is a timeline for their journey:
| Year | Event |
| Pre-2021 | Maria and Jonathan meet and start dating quietly. |
| 2021 | They get married in a private, intimate ceremony. |
| 2022–2025 | They build married life. Jonathan supports Maria’s career. |
| Present | They maintain strong privacy and mutual respect. |
That table shows how they moved from meeting to marriage and life beyond.

Before Jonathan, Maria was married to someone else. Her ex-husband is Rodney Blackstock. He is not a celebrity reporter or athlete. He worked at a bank. The two met in a sports-media circle. Their story made headlines because Maria went public with that relationship. People watched. They got engaged. Then they called off things. Then they came back. It was a real, up-and-down story.
Their relationship was fragile in some ways. At first, things looked good. Then the pressure, the public, and their different worlds created tension. They tried to make it work. But in the end, they drifted apart. The breakup was public. Fans commented. She spoke about it later. She learned from it. And so did he.
Maria and Rodney first met at a Charlotte Hornets game. She was covering sports. He worked nearby. They struck up a connection. The spark was real. They dated. They talked about their futures. He proposed. She accepted. Many thought they had a solid plan. They seemed to complement each other. Their world felt hopeful.
Then they broke off their engagement. In 2017, they split. The split surprised many. But they did not quit for good. They came back together. By 2019, they made it official. They married in a beautiful ceremony. They smiled. They gave hope. They felt strong. But their journey was not over.
Maria and Rodney faced real stress. She was a rising star in sports media. He had his own work. Their jobs took time. They had different demands. Also, the public watched closely. That made things harder. They argued about work and time. They argued about dreams. Their personal life got tangled in her public image.
On top of that, Maria felt a need for more privacy. She saw that her fame could hurt her personal world. They struggled to balance. They tried to communicate. But over time, they drifted. Their love stayed, but their paths changed. Eventually, they decided to part ways. They ended the marriage. Their divorce came with relief and sadness.
Here is a detailed table of key milestones in their relationship:
| Year | Milestone | Notes |
| ~2016 | Meeting | At a Hornets game. Media world ties. |
| 2017 | First Engagement | They got engaged. Then broke off soon. |
| 2018 | Reconciliation | They came back to each other. |
| 2019 | Marriage | They wed in a public ceremony. |
| 2020 | Rising Tensions | Work stress, public scrutiny. |
| 2021 | Separation | They decide to go separate ways. |
| 2022 | Divorce | Their divorce finalizes. |
That table shows ups and downs. It shows how they tried, failed, and moved on.
Here is a side-by-side look at her two marriages:
| Aspect | Marriage to Jonathan Lee Hemphill | Marriage to Rodney Blackstock |
| Privacy | Very private and low-key | More public, media attention |
| Background | Business, not media | Banking / financial world |
| Wedding | Intimate, limited guests | Bigger, more public |
| Support for Career | Strong, steady; Jonathan supports her fully | Mixed; tension from career demands |
| Longevity | Ongoing (married since 2021) | Ended in divorce (after years) |
| Public Scrutiny | Minimal, she controls the narrative | High, press covered ups and downs |
This comparison shows how different both marriages look. Her bond with Jonathan feels calm. Her time with Rodney felt more turbulent under the spotlight.
Maria is smart about fame. She knows fame can be a double-edged sword. She often does not post her private life. She rarely shares big emotional moments. Instead, she shares her work. She talks about games, about teams, about athletes. She keeps her personal life safe.
Look, she draws a line. She chooses what to make public. She trusts Jonathan to respect that. She also learned from her first marriage. She saw how public exposure can strain things. So now, she builds boundaries. She keeps her home life calm. She protects both her heart and her career. She teaches fans that it is okay to be famous and private at once.
Maria is real with her followers. On Instagram, she posts about big events. She posts about wins, big moments, and some off-air bits. But she does not show every detail of her personal life. She uses social media to talk about work. She thanks fans. She posts behind-the-scenes, but selectively.
On Twitter / X, she tweets about games, athletes, and her own thoughts. She replies sometimes, but not always. She uses her platform wisely. She builds trust with her fans. She does not overshare. She cares for her reputation. And guess what—fans respect that. They like that she balances fame and real life. She makes the sports world feel closer, but she keeps her core private.
When Maria and Rodney divorced, they handled it in a mature way. There is no huge scandal. No drama-filled court fights. They parted. They moved on. Maria focused back on her career. She kept her name clean. She did not let the breakup derail her goals.
With Jonathan, there seems to be no major legal noise. Their union is stable. She has no public lawsuits tied to her personal life. Her reputation in sports media remains strong. People see her as professional, capable, and composed. Her legal standing is clean. That helps her maintain trust in her public role.

Maria’s story gives us many lessons. First, love can be real and gentle. With Jonathan, she found a partner who supports her quietly. She shows that big love does not need big drama. Second, she learned to protect her heart. Her first marriage taught her what she needed. She now builds strong boundaries.
Also, she shows that career and personal life can coexist. She rose high in sports media. She did not give up her dreams. But she also did not give up on herself. She found balance. For women in sports and media, her journey is inspiring. She is a role model. She proves you can chase success, but still guard your private life.
Maria Taylor’s story is one of strength and balance. She is a top sports broadcaster. She has faced love, heartbreak, and growth. Her current husband, Jonathan Lee Hemphill, is a private man who supports her deeply. Their 2021 wedding marked a new, calmer chapter in her life. Her ex, Rodney Blackstock, was part of her journey too, and their time together taught her important lessons.
Through her career at ESPN and NBC Sports, Maria has built a strong reputation. She brings honesty, warmth, and insight to every broadcast. At the same time, she guards her personal world. She keeps her heart safe while she chases big goals. Her journey teaches us that we can be brave in love, wise in choice, and firm in our own boundaries. That makes her story not just inspiring—it is a real guide for anyone who dreams of success and real connection.
Jonathan Lee Hemphill works in a private business profession. He does not host shows. He stays mostly off camera. He values privacy more than being in the spotlight.
Maria Taylor married Jonathan in 2021. Their wedding was small, intimate, and not very public.
They divorced due to stress and different life demands. Her growing career, public attention, and their personal differences made things hard. Over time, they drifted apart and chose to end their marriage.
She draws firm boundaries. She shares selective moments on social media. She does not talk about every part of her marriage. She keeps her personal life mostly offline to protect her relationship and her peace.
She rarely reveals every detail. She speaks in general terms about her husband. She focuses more on her work. She avoids deep personal stories so she can keep her relationship safe and private.


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