NBC Sports names Maria Taylor host of 'Football Night in America'

NBC Sports has named Maria Taylor the new host of Football Night in America, the network announced Thursday.

Taylor made her debut on the show as a co-host last season.

Taylor joined NBC Sports in July 2021 after eight years as a reporter, studio show host and anchor at ESPN. She hosted the Tokyo Olympics last summer, Super Bowl LVI pregame show, and the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics for NBC upon her arrival.

MORE: NBC hires broadcaster Maria Taylor days after highly publicized exit from ESPN

“Maria is the perfect choice to carry the legacy forward of anchoring the most-watched studio show in sports," NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood said in a statement.

Taylor – who turned 35 on Thursday — is the latest media personality to make a move during the offseason. She replaces Mike Tirico, who is moving to the Sunday Night Football broadcast booth.

Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBC Sports tabs Maria Taylor to host 'Football Night in America'