By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com
This Women’s History Month, the AFRO highlights some of the major contributors of Black women in sports media. From pioneers like Jayne Kennedy to emerging stars like Taylor Rooks, Black women in journalism have become mainstays in a part of the journalism industry some might think should be exclusive to men. Read below to find out more about the Black women reporting from gridiron and sports stadiums around the world.
Jayne Kennedy
In 1978 Jayne Kennedy was the first Black woman to break barriers in the American sports media industry when she replaced Phyllis George on CBS’s show, “The NFL Today.” Although her time on the show was short-lived due to contractual disagreements with CBS, Kennedy remained involved in sports journalism with her contributions to “Speak Up, America.” In 1982, Kennedy began hosting the television show, “Greatest Sports Legends,” and that same year she was awarded an Emmy for hosting the Rose Bowl.
Jemele Hill
Jemele Hill’s rise to sports journalism stardom can be heavily attributed to her work ethic and being unapologetic in her takes involving sports and social commentary. Hill became a household name after working for ESPN for over a decade. She worked as a co-host on ESPN’s Numbers Never Lie, which would eventually be rebranded into His and Hers alongside Michael Smith. Hill and Smith would go on to host ESPN’s flagship show SportsCenter at 6 p.m. called SC6. Hill also had a short-lived talk show that she co-hosted alongside fellow former ESPN journalist, Cari Champion, called Cari and Jemele (Won’t) Stick to Sports which aired on Vice. Hill now serves as a contributing writer for The Atlantic and hosts a sports and politics podcast on iHeart called Spolitics Pod.
Maria Taylor
Maria Taylor made the transition from highly successful athlete to critically acclaimed sports journalist after her playing days were over. After being a two-sport, all-conference basketball and volleyball player at the University of Georgia, Taylor served as a reporter for her alma mater. In 2012, Taylor joined ESPN, where she would work as a college football reporter for SEC Network, the same conference she used to compete in. Taylor became the host of NBA Countdown in 2019. Taylor left ESPN in 2020 and joined NBC Sports. Taylor was the host of both the 2020 and 2024 Olympics for NBC and became the lead host of Football Night in America in 2022.
“As a former student-athlete myself, I have followed Maria Taylor’s career essentially my whole life,” said Alexa Henry, a master’s student at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism. “Even with the controversy at ESPN with Rachel Nichols, Taylor remained professional and always handled her business. She is an inspiration to all Black women and women in general looking to carve out a career for themselves in sports media.”
Malika and Kendra Andrews
Malika Andrews is one of the brightest sports reporters in the industry today. At only 30 years old, she serves as the host of ESPN’s “NBA Today.” During the 2020 NBA Bubble, a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrews made her debut as a sideline reporter for ESPN at only 25 years old. The Oakland native was also named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list, a list recognizing professionals under the age of 30 in different professions making noticeable impacts in their respective industries.
Kendra, Andrews’ younger sister, also works in sports media. Kendra serves as a beat writer and reporter for her hometown Golden State Warriors. She also serves as a contributor for ESPN programming.
Taylor Rooks
Taylor Rooks has been making a name for herself in the sports journalism field since college, and she is beginning to see the results of that hard work and dedication. Rooks got her start in sports journalism writing about highly touted recruits in both basketball and football for scout.com. Rooks became an on-air host and reporter for Big Ten Network out of college and became a sideline reporter for CBS Sports Network in 2016. In 2022, Rooks was hired by Amazon Prime Video to contribute to their Thursday Night Football broadcast. Rooks still contributes to Thursday Night Football for Amazon and will lead NBA on Prime Video’s studio coverage for the 2025-26 National Basketball Association season. Rooks also reports on the NBA for Turner Sports.
Monica McNutt
Monica McNutt is another example of a successful division one student-athlete turned sports media star. McNutt played college basketball at Georgetown University and then obtained her master’s in journalism at the University of Maryland. While in pursuit of her master’s degree, McNutt was working as a kindergarten aide. It was during this time that McNutt realized she had to focus all of her attention on pursuing a career in sports journalism.
After obtaining her master’s, McNutt began working with the ACC Network as an analyst and reporter. She is currently a regular contributor to ESPN’s “First Take” and other ESPN programs. She also serves as a studio analyst for the New York Knicks on MSG Network.
