The spotlight may be on the players, but Taylor Rooks knows exactly how to steal a moment. Whether it’s through her compelling interviews or her courtside style, the TNT Sports reporter has carved out a space where reporting meets presence. Known for asking the right questions and turning heads with her fashion-forward looks, Rooks doesn’t just cover the game—she becomes part of the conversation. As she puts it, “I love fashion, I love getting all dressed up. I think it’s so much fun and it is never something that I have ever seen as a frivolity.” And true to form, she once again made waves at a recent NBA appearance, drawing admiration from basketball’s biggest names.
Taylor Rooks was present at the Crypto.com Arena as the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Playoffs series yesterday. She posted her highlights from game day, only a few hours ago, on Instagram. Along with interviewing Luka Doncic and Julius Randle, Rooks captured the attention of people by coming out in a striking pink bodycon dress.
An outfit that effortlessly blended sophistication with chic style. The dress was reportedly accompanied with a matching knitted long-sleeve cardigan. In addition to her outfit, Rooks opted for minimum glam makeup, while also adopting a Hollywood-inspired hairstyle that was highlighted through voluminous curls. Everything about the reporter exuded classic elegance, and people wanted Rooks to know it.
Almost 8 hours since the post was published, it received over 65,000 likes, and 900+ comments. Everyone from Draymond Green’s wife Hazel Renee, to ‘House of Highlights’s Omar Raja left a like to appreciate Rooks’ game-day look. Others were more expressive. WNBA star DiJonai Carrington complimented those curls by writing “this hairrrrr eatssss”.
Fox Sports and Amazon Prime Video reporter Charissa Thompson left a simple heart emoji, while social media and wellness model Alaina Charif Douglas wrote “Taaaylor just gorgeous omg”. She also featured Rooks’ post on her Instagram story, and added a compliment by writing “She is just omg”, along with a couple of emojis. While the Lakers grabbed the headlines by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves by a 94-85 score, Taylor Rooks ensured that not all the attention focused solely on the NBA squad.
For as long as she has been covering both NBA and NFL games from the main playing grounds, the 32-year-old journalist has been as much of a topic of conversation due to her flashy fits as she has been for her sideline reporting skills.
As Rooks explained in an exclusive interview with US Weekly back in November 2024, even an on-court reporter is on the screen for a short time. Therefore, “When you pop up, it needs to feel like a moment. I believe that. I believe that’s good TV. You want people to stop what they’re doing and watch what you have to say. You want them to watch your interview. The key to television is to make people want to tune in and want to listen to your stories”.
Rooks believes that one way to capture the immediate attention of viewers is by getting them intrigued by “the color” one is wearing, the outfit’s “texture”, or simply “the subtleties of the makeup”. Every journalist holds certain beliefs when it comes to reporting. For Taylor Rooks, “It’s not as much about wearing an outfit as it is giving a whole look.”
Rooks has previously shared that she and her team hold a major fitting session before each season, setting the tone for her courtside style throughout the year. And if her recent appearances are any indication, that strategy is working. Her looks continue to generate buzz—and plenty of praise. But now, it seems Rooks is ready to take things a step further. According to recent reports, she might be bringing her talents to a new media home.
Taylor Rooks’ TNT Tenure Is Closing Amid New Beginning with Amazon Prime’s $1.8 Billion Venture
Along with serving as a host for TNT Sports’ NBA Coverage, Taylor Rooks had also worked with Amazon, being part of the network’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ coverage. The devotion to the job she put there left a memorable impression. This may be why, back in December 2024, Rooks revealed that she had signed a deal with Amazon to be the lead host of their NBA pregame show. The producers set the show to begin airing during the 2025-26 season.
Back in July, the NBA announced a huge 11-year, $76 billion worth media rights deal with several major streaming giants, starting next season. The $1.8 billion deal with Amazon stated that the network would show 66 regular-season games on their streaming service, Prime Video, each season, while also distributing six NBA Cup games. The same deal took the media rights away from TNT Sports. Therefore, after finishing this NBA season with TNT in June, Rooks will work for Prime.
“Something I know for sure at Amazon is: We really believe in going big. And we always have the audience in mind. It’s what I’ve been a part of with Thursday Night Football. To be able to bring that over to the NBA is just super-exciting. Because the NBA is about the fans, it’s about the stories, it’s about the culture, it’s about the players, it’s about the commentary,” said Rooks in a statement. “It’s such an immersive sport now.”
Amazon is hiring Taylor Rooks as the lead host of their NBA pregame show next season, per @richarddeitsch @TheAthletic pic.twitter.com/fUbJEQ9Hex
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 16, 2024
Losing Rooks is just one part of the sad reality revolving around TNT Sports right now. After suing the NBA, TNT’s parent company reached a deal to maintain rights in NBA TV, and license Inside the NBA to ESPN. With this move, the charismatic crew of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith are already in doubt. Now, losing another major face will also draw attention away from Turner Sports coverage. While it is upsetting, it is all part of the process of moving on to bigger things.
When the next season begins, basketball fans will certainly be waiting for Taylor Rooks’ coverage. At the same time, fashion enthusiasts will also look for what Rooks brings next to the television screens.
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