NBC eyes Taylor for Olympics coverage

NBC is trying to sign ESPN’s Maria Taylor so she can be part of its Olympic coverage, which begins in a little more than a week, on July 23, The Post has learned.

Taylor is hosting the NBA Finals for ESPN, but her contract runs out on July 20. Game 6 is that night, while a potential Game 7 is scheduled for July 22.

If Taylor were to leave, ESPN would have the unorthodox scenario of potentially having a different host to end a marquee event than the one who started it. ESPN could try to see if Taylor would stay through the Finals, even if she decided to go with NBC.

No final decision has been made by Taylor, but one is expected soon.

ESPN has offered Taylor a contract in the neighborhood of $3 million per year, according to sources.

The Post reported a week ago that NBC and Amazon had interest in Taylor and that she could succeed Mike Tirico as the host of “Football Night in America” after this season. Tirico is expected to replace Al Michaels as the main playby-player on “Sunday Night Football” in 2022-23.

Taylor’s negotiations have yet to heat up with Amazon, but NBC is expected to produce its exclusive Thursday night package, which will begin in 2022-23. Sources said the Amazon-NBC contract is likely to be a threeyear deal, with an Amazon option to extend it to five.

This would bring over “Sunday Night Football” producer, Fred Gaudelli. The idea is for Michaels, who is in the final year of his NBC contract, to be wooed to be the Amazon play-by-player with a potential run at Peyton Manning as analyst. Taylor could be the sideline reporter, if all goes to plan.

ESPN may have the right to match an NBC offer, so it is not clear if Taylor would need ESPN’s permission to work so quickly for NBC. Contracts often have matching rights, though they are seldom used.