Taylor Rooks Biography And Wiki
Taylor Rooks is a talented American sports journalist and broadcaster. Born on May 22, 1992, in St. Louis, Missouri, she graduated from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia, in 2010. Rooks attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she studied broadcast journalism. She started her journalism career in August 2012 with Scout.com, covering football and basketball recruiting. In August 2014, she joined the Big Ten Network, where she hosted shows such as BTN Live and Women’s Sports Report.
Age And Birthday
Taylor Rooks was born on May 22, 1992, making her 32 years old in 2024.
Height And Weight
Taylor Rooks is 5 feet 9 inches (1.78 meters) tall and weighs approximately 132 pounds (59 kilograms).
Education Background
Taylor Rooks graduated from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia, in 2010. She then went on to study Broadcast Journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned her degree in 2014.
While at the University of Illinois, Taylor gained hands-on experience by interning with NBC Sports Chicago and Fox Sports.
Nationality And Ethnicity
Taylor Rooks is an American by nationality and of African American descent. She was born and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri.
Milestones, Significant Contributions, And Notable Works
Milestones
Taylor started her career at Scout.com in August 2012, covering Illinois football and basketball, where she gained national recognition for her recruiting stories. In August 2014, shortly after graduating, she joined the Big Ten Network as an on-air host, reporter, and correspondent. Two years later, she moved to SportsNet New York in August 2016, working as a host, reporter, and anchor. She also served as a sideline reporter for CBS Sports Network during the 2016-2017 football season. Currently, she appears on Thursday Night Football, Bleacher Report, and Turner Sports.
Significant Contributions
Taylor has interviewed notable sports figures such as Kevin Durant, Jonathan Isaac, and Jameel Morant. She also hosts the Women’s Sports Report on the Big Ten Network, covering women’s sports in the Big Ten. Her work in sports journalism earned her an Emmy nomination.
Notable Works
She hosts Take It There with Taylor Rooks on Bleacher Report, where she interviews athletes and discusses sports topics. Taylor also contributes as a reporter for Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football and has been named the lead host for Amazon’s new NBA pregame show, starting in the 2025-2026 season.
Partner
Taylor Rooks is in a relationship with actor Jesse Williams, whom she began dating in 2018. Jesse was previously married to Aryn Drake-Lee, with whom he has two children, Sadie and Maceo. Although Taylor and Jesse keep their relationship mostly private, they occasionally share moments from their life together on social media.
Family, Siblings, Parents
Taylor Rooks comes from a family with a rich sports background. Her father, Thomas Rooks, was a top-rushing leader for the Illinois Fighting Illini, while her mother is Stephanie Rooks. Taylor has a sister, Ryan Rooks, who was a swimmer and cheerleader at the University of Georgia. Additionally, she is the niece of Lou Brock, a Hall of Famer for the St. Louis Cardinals, and Marv Woodson, a former NFL player for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints.
Career
Taylor Rooks started her career at Scout.com in August 2012, where she covered Illinois football and basketball. She quickly gained national attention for her in-depth recruiting stories and interviews with top athletes, setting the stage for her future in sports journalism.
In August 2014, Taylor joined the Big Ten Network, where she worked as an on-air host, reporter, and correspondent. She hosted shows like BTN Live and Women’s Sports Report, which helped her expand her reach and solidify her reputation as an expert in college sports.
From 2016 to 2021, Taylor worked at SportsNet New York (SNY), where she served as a host, reporter, and anchor. During her time at SNY, she covered a variety of sports events and stories, gaining recognition for her versatility and deep knowledge of sports.
Currently, Taylor works with Turner Sports, appearing on Thursday Night Football, Bleacher Report, and other platforms. She conducts interviews with prominent athletes and offers analysis and commentary on major sports events, continuing to build her career as a leading sports journalist.
Hobbies And Personal Challenges
Hobbies
Taylor Rooks enjoys several hobbies outside of her career. She has a passion for fashion and often shares her outfits on social media, even discussing basketball fashion on her podcast. Taylor also co-hosts the podcast Two Personal with Joy Taylor, where they talk about relationships, social issues, and personal growth. Additionally, she loves listening to music and attending concerts when she can.
Personal Challenges
Throughout her career, Taylor Rooks has faced personal challenges. The high-pressure environment of sports journalism, with tight deadlines and the need to stay updated, has required her to develop excellent time and stress management skills. Balancing her personal and professional life is another challenge, but she emphasizes the importance of self-care and setting boundaries to avoid burnout. As a public figure, Taylor has dealt with criticism, but she has learned to focus on her goals and the positive impact she wants to make.
Salary and Net Worth
Taylor Rooks earns an estimated annual salary of about $95,800, and her net worth is roughly $1.2 million.
Recognition and Impact
Emmy Nomination: Taylor received an Emmy nomination for her contributions to sports journalism.
Influence: Her work has offered valuable sports insights and has inspired many aspiring journalists, especially women and people of color.
Follow Taylor Rooks on social media: TikTok | Twitter | Instagram
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