🧵 My first @latimes column ... Top Black voices keep leaving ESPN for a reason. Five sources at a range of levels at ESPN confirmed the New York Times’ report of intense stress and unhappiness among many journalists of color.

In addition to her talent on camera, Maria Taylor is known internally for working hard, mentoring young journalists of all backgrounds and establishing a foundation. She deserved clear, unambiguous support in the face of a tired diversity hire smear.

ESPN proudly touts it has hired more women and journalists of color than any other media company, but it also has the most jobs. The support for its diverse staff is weak. ESPN has few female executives of color with clout needed to resolve conflict.

ESPN never had to be in this position. Read the full column for more on what went wrong, why it matters and how it can be fixed:

@LAT_Iliana @jemelehill Really interesting stuff here Illiana, hope all is well in your new gig!

@BrandonKravitz Thank you!

@LAT_Iliana @jemelehill It's really a story of having a society that teaches us to look at each other through the lens of identity rather than merit. Now Rachel is getting dinged for what she benefitted from. Both have been given opportunities that >99.99% of people won't get, but somehow are victims

@LAT_Iliana @jemelehill Black & Brown faces are always for way too long misrepresented and it’s time to change that.

@LAT_Iliana @jemelehill How about the FACT Maria was looking for a significant pay increase which was the story only a week ago. ESPN had no intention of renewing her contract. They were going to let her walk. Now this story is brought to light. Let's state the obvious Maria is using race as leverage!

@LAT_Iliana @jemelehill This is the thing about all of this…. Black people being elevated to their rightful place, will mean that some white people will lose their position. It’s easy to be on board with change until it’s your job on the line, and then people show who they are

@LAT_Iliana @jemelehill Anything Jemele Hill says believe the opposite.

@LAT_Iliana @jemelehill Having a private conversation leaked I'm not saying what she said was right I mean if ESPN selected Maria to host NBA countdown then Rachel should have kept quiet because that was out of her hands

@LAT_Iliana @jemelehill Nobody said anything when Erin Andrews (who’s decent, but not exceptional) got all types of roles at ESPN and put on for Super Bowl coverage. But Maria Taylor MUST be a diversity hire. Make it make sense!

@LAT_Iliana @jemelehill Spot on. I watched Hill on LeBatard's show yesterday and thought she hit the bull's-eye: A big part of this is ESPN's mealy-mouthed management not putting its full support behind Taylor. And a lack of Black and brown people in the C-suite.

@LAT_Iliana @jemelehill So ESPN offered her up to $5M while Rachel is making $1.5M but she’s not being valued by the firm? I wish my company will undervalue me the same way.

@LAT_Iliana @jemelehill People still watching ESPN? I only watch live sports and I mute at halftime and interviews.