Most people see Maria Taylor on Football Night in America or leading NBC’s Olympic coverage and see a woman who has it all figured out. She’s poised. She’s tall. She’s authoritative. But behind that broadcast-ready exterior, her personal life has been a series of high-stakes pivots, much like her career jump from ESPN to NBC.
If you’ve followed her for a while, you know the Maria Taylor relationship history isn’t just a sidebar to her career; it’s a story of trial, error, and eventually, finding a rhythm that works.
Honestly, the public narrative usually misses the nuance. It focuses on the weddings but skips the growth between them. We’re talking about a woman who had to navigate a very public divorce while becoming one of the most recognizable faces in sports media. That’s not easy.
The First Marriage: Rodney Blackstock
Back in 2019, Taylor married Rodney Blackstock. It looked like a fairytale. They met at a Charlotte Hornets game in 2014, and the proposal involved a floral arrangement and a sunset. Standard romantic stuff, right? They tied the knot in a gorgeous beachfront ceremony in Destin, Florida.
But sometimes, what looks good on Instagram doesn't translate to a lifelong partnership.
By early 2021, the marriage was over. They cited irreconcilable differences, a phrase that covers a thousand small fractures. It was a quick turnaround—less than two years from "I do" to divorce papers.
Interestingly, Taylor’s father once noted that Maria hadn't seemed as "happy" during certain stretches of that time. It’s a reminder that even when you’re winning at work—hosting NBA Countdown and College GameDay—your personal life can be quietly crumbling.
Maria Taylor Relationship with Jon Hemphill: A Second Chance
Here is where it gets interesting. Taylor didn’t wait years to find love again. In February 2021—literally the same year her first marriage officially dissolved—she married Jonathan Hemphill (often referred to as Jon Lee).
If that sounds fast, it’s because they actually had history.
They met way back at Centennial High School in Roswell, Georgia. This wasn’t a rebound with a stranger; it was a return to someone who knew her before the Emmy awards and the multi-million dollar contracts.
- Who is Jon Hemphill? He's kept a lower profile than Taylor, but he’s been her rock through the most turbulent years of her professional life.
- The Breakup: Believe it or not, they actually broke up once before they ever got married. Taylor has been open about the fact that they weren't ready for marriage the first time around.
- The Reunion: They found their way back to each other when the timing was finally right.
The Reality of Balancing Motherhood and NBC
The most significant shift in the Maria Taylor relationship landscape happened in late 2023. On Christmas Eve, Maria and Jon welcomed their first child, Roman Ryan Taylor Hemphill.
This wasn’t a "click your fingers and get a baby" situation.
Taylor has been incredibly vulnerable about her "tumultuous journey to motherhood." We’re talking about years of IVF, failed embryo transfers, and the physical toll of hormone injections while trying to host the biggest shows in sports. She once shared that she came into an NFL season dealing with a failed transfer, a secret heartbreak she carried while smiling for millions of viewers.
It’s a side of her life that makes her current success feel earned. As of 2026, she’s balancing being the lead host for the NBA and WNBA on NBC with the chaos of a toddler at home in Atlanta.
Why the Context Matters
A lot of fans still confuse her first marriage with her second, or they wonder why she keeps her husband Jon largely out of the spotlight.
The truth is, Taylor has learned to protect her peace. After the very public nature of her exit from ESPN and the scrutiny of her first divorce, she’s leaned into a more private, grounded family life.
She's active in her church and often speaks about her faith being the "medicine" that got her through the IVF years. That spiritual foundation seems to be the glue for her current relationship.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re looking to keep up with Maria Taylor’s journey or learn from her approach to life and career, here are a few takeaways:
1. Watch the NBA and WNBA on NBC
Taylor is the lead studio host for the 2025-2026 season. If you want to see her at the top of her game, catch her alongside analysts like Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter. Her chemistry with her team is a direct reflection of the stability she’s found in her personal life.
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2. Follow Her "Journey" Content
Taylor often posts about IVF and the realities of being a working mom on her Instagram. If you’re going through similar struggles, her transparency is a genuine resource. She doesn't just show the highlights; she shows the medical folders and the "hard days."
3. Respect the Privacy Boundary
Notice how she rarely tags Jon in everything? That’s intentional. In an era where every "influencer" sells their marriage for clicks, Taylor’s choice to keep her husband as a private support system is a blueprint for maintaining a long-term relationship in the public eye.
Whether she's in Atlanta with Roman or on a plane to a Super Bowl, the current state of any Maria Taylor relationship is defined by one word: resilience. She’s proven that a "failed" first attempt at marriage or a difficult road to pregnancy doesn't define the end of the story. It’s just the middle.