Maria Taylor's husband: Everything we know about Jonathan Lee Hemphill
Suzette Maria Taylor's charismatic personality and unique talent have captivated millions of sports lovers worldwide. Besides her success in sports journalism, many are curious about the love of her life, Jonathan Lee Hemphill. Discover more about Maria Taylor's husband here.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Maria Taylor is a renowned sports analyst for NBC Sports. She is also a wife and mother. Maria Taylor's husband, Jonathan Lee Hemphill, is a British art dealer and businessman who prefers maintaining a low-key profile despite his wife’s prominence.
Profile summary
| Full name | Jonathan Lee Hemphill |
| Gender | Male |
| Birthplace | England, UK |
| Nationality | British |
| Residence | New York |
| Education | University of Oxford |
| Studied | History and Economics |
| Profession | Businessman and art dealer |
| Spouse | Suzette Maria Taylor |
| Spouse' profession | Sportscaster |
| Child | Roman Ryan Taylor Hemphill |
Who is Maria Taylor's husband?
The American sportscaster is married to Jonathan Lee Hemphill, a businessman and art dealer. He was born and raised in England, UK.
Hemphill is reportedly an alumnus of the University of Oxford, where he studied History and Economics. Due to his private lifestyle, details about his early life and family background remain a mystery.
What does Jon Hemphill do?
Jonathan is the co-founder and president of Paddle, an online platform dedicated to auctioning art and luxury items. He has also expanded into the tech industry by establishing Squared Circles, an AI agency that collaborates with major brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Spotify.
Source: Original
He began his professional career at Google as a software engineer, contributing to projects like Google Maps and Google Street View. In 2015, he left Google. The following year, he co-founded Paddle.
In 2018, Lee founded Squared Circles. This agency partners with brands to create interactive and immersive AI-generated experiences.
Marriage
Jonathan Lee Hemphill and Maria Taylor got married on 12 February 2021. The two have been acquainted since high school and have supported each other through various challenges.
In 2022, Taylor reflected on their relationship in a TikTok post, describing her husband as her biggest supporter. She expressed gratitude for him and shared that their journey to marriage was challenging but ultimately rewarding.
The seasoned journalist also mentioned how her spouse consistently encourages her to excel and believes in her potential, even during moments of self-doubt.
I woke up grateful for my husband. We have known each other since high school. Our road to marriage was not easy, but it was worth it. He always wants me to shine and pushes me to greatness, even when I doubt myself.
She added:
He makes life fun. He knows I am not perfect and loves me despite all my flaws, wanting nothing in return. Thank you, God, for giving me the husband I have always prayed for.
Does Maria Taylor have any kids?
Lee and Maria welcomed their first child, Roman Ryan Taylor Hemphill, on 24 December 2023. In an interview with PEOPLE, the television personality narrated how the birth of her son changed her life, saying:
My journey to motherhood has been challenging. There were several times I thought I would never become a mom. But when my son was placed on my chest, our hearts were overwhelmed with love and gratitude. I immediately knew I had given birth to my soulmate.
Is Maria Taylor still married to Rodney Blackstock?
No, the sports journalist is no longer married to Rodney Blackstock. Jonathan Lee Hemphill is Maria Taylor's husband now.
Maria Taylor and Rodney Blackstock tied the knot in 2019 but parted ways in 2021, citing irreconcilable differences. Maria Taylor's ex-husband is an Agency owner at COUNTRY Financial, Atlanta Metropolitan Area.
Where is Maria Taylor’s husband now?
Maria Taylor's spouse resides with his family in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He focuses on his entrepreneurial pursuits away from the spotlight that comes with his wife’s celebrity status.
Who is Maria Taylor?
Maria Taylor is an American sportscaster for NBC Sports. She previously worked for ESPN and the SEC Network.
In her career, the sports journalist has covered college football, college volleyball, the NBA, and the NFL. Before 2012, Maria was a reporter for IMG College at the University of Georgia for three years. In 2013, she was featured on ESPN2’s weekly college football telecast.
Taylor was also an analyst on the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Preview Show and NCAA Women’s Basketball Selection Show for two years. In 2014, she joined SEC Network as a college football reporter.
The journalist began hosting NBA Countdown in 2019. On 23 July 2021, she made her on-air debut for the NBC Sports network.
In the 2021 NFL season, she joined NBC’s Football Night in America pre-game show as a panellist. Since 2023, the media personality has hosted college football coverages for NBC Sports.
Departure from ESPN
Taylor was at ESPN from 2013 to 2021. She worked for a decade at ESPN and loved her time there. The ending came a little tumultuously for her.
The media personality departed the channel after her former colleague Rachel Nichols was heard making disparaging 'diversity' comments about her in a leaked audio tape. She joined NBC Sport in July 2021, the same month the audio leaked. Taylor, Jonathan Lee Hemphill's wife said,
I had the opportunity to really decide what I wanted to [do] for my life moving forward and if where I was was the best place for me, and as we all know... it's hard to go through change.
But I knew in my heart of hearts that it was time. I honestly just needed more opportunities to spend time with my family to start a family and at the level I was going and the work that I was doing, I didn't think I would have the time.
How old is Maria Taylor?
Maria Taylor's age is 37 years as of January 2025. She was born on 12 May 1987 in Cookeville, Tennessee, United States of America. The journalist’s parents, Steve and Suzette Taylor, raised her alongside her two siblings, Vanna and Steve Taylor Jr.
She attended Centennial High School before moving to the University of Georgia on an athletic scholarship.
Trivia
- Jon Hemphill, Maria Taylor's husband, does not have verified social media pages.
- He is an animal lover.
- He enjoys travelling in his free time.
- His wife was named a member of the All-SEC volleyball team each season while at the University of Georgia.
- He and Taylor are actively involved in philanthropy.
Maria Taylor’s husband, Jonathan Lee Hemphill, has been her support system since the couple got married. Unlike his celebrity wife, Jon avoids the spotlight and stays away from the internet’s prying eyes.
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Source: Briefly News
Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for five years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.
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