Franco Finn: The NBA’s one and only Filipino-American Ambassador of Cheer
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Wed, 15 Feb 2023
When he speaks, people cannot help but listen intently. ‘Tis how it goes when the most interesting public announcer, a Filipino-American and all that, gets going.
In an impromptu shout-out for PhilBoxing.com at the Chase Center press lounge before Monday night’s Warriors-Wizards game, Franco Finn, the self-styled “Hype Man” for the reigning and the defending 2021-22 NBA Champions Golden State Warriors, expressed some Pinoy Pride.
“Gosh, I'm so proud and honored to represent all my Kababayans, Filipinos all across the world. I'm gonna be at the All-Star game and I’m gonna make some noise, get loud…you know, (like) my other brother, my ‘Pare’ right here- Pacquiao…So you know, boxing and basketball are the number one and two sports in the Philippines. So, I gotta represent! This is for all of you.“
“Look, I got my own shoes too. I created my own Pinoy (Filipino) shoe. It’s to honor Pac-Man. Congratulations to Pac-Man for being in the Hall of Fame- Filipino Boxing Hall of Fame…and you know what, I'm gonna hopefully be in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Maybe, one day…”
“Let’s make some NOISE!!!”
Of note, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao will be inducted into the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame scheduled for March 12, 2023 at the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, not (yet) the Filipino or Philippine Boxing Hall of Fame.
But who am I to disagree with the man with the golden voice who continues to fire-up the Golden State Warriors home crowd, and whose ebullient persona spurred the home crowd as Golden State successfully marched towards last season’s championship.
For the record, Franco Finn has inspired many on and off the basketball court.
For the past twenty years, he has donated his time and resources to many worthy causes and has exceeded expectations in various capacities as host, pitchman, emcee and manager for prestigious companies like KRON 4 News (2014 - Present), Alaska Airlines (2013 - Present), San Francisco Giants (2009 - Present), California Hypeman Auctions (2006 - Present), Franco Finn Productions LLC (2006 - Present), Oakland Raiders (2003-20), and the Golden State Warriors (October 2003 - Present), to name a few.
Mr. Finn went to Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (Class of 1995) and graduated with a degree in Communications at Santa Clara University, California (Class of 1999).
Mr. Finn will be hosting the “Rising Stars” Saturday exhibition in this year’s NBA All-Star extravaganza scheduled February 17-19, 2023 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Note of Appreciation:
Congratulations to Mr. Franco Finn, our Kababayan and fellow fan of Pinoy boxers like the great Manny Pacquiao, on his selection as the first NBA Filipino-American public announcer in the 2022-23 NBA All-Star Weekend Celebration.
