Maria Taylor’s recent exodus from ESPN has drawn attention to a disturbing pattern of exceptional Black talent departing from the network on questionable terms. In recent years, we’ve seen familiar names like Amin Elhassan, Michael Smith, Cari Champion, Jemele Hill and others exit the network in favor of more supportive work environments.

Nelly Korda reached her tee shot on the final hole of an otherwise flawless round, looked up and saw a thick pine branch blocking her path to the green. Any thoughts of the second 59 in women’s golf history ended there. Stronger than ever, even with a double bogey on the 18th hole that forced the 23-year-old American to settle for a 9-under 62 to tie the Olympic record in women’s golf.

‘No thank you,’ bronze winner Sarah Robles finally responds

On what was likely to be her Olympic swansong, Simone Biles clinched a bronze medal in the women’s balance beam event at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Americans fell behind by 15 to Australia in the Olympic semifinals but dominated the rest of the way to set up a final vs. France or Slovenia.

Australia – which beat Team USA in exhibitions in 2019 and this year – jumped to a 15-point second-quarter lead.