Franco Finn to host NBA All-Star weekend events

By aJPress

FILIPINO American Franco Finn, who is the in-arena emcee/ host and television personality for multiple National Basketball Association (NBA) champion the Golden State Warriors, will represent the organization in the upcoming 2023 NBA All-Star festivities in Salt Lake City, Utah, according to a release provided by the organization.

Known as the first and only Filipino/Asian American “Hype Man” in the NBA, Finn will host two events during AllStar Weekend: the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, February 17, and All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, February 18. This will be his first time joining the All-Star festivities on-site as host for events featuring the biggest, brightest and current/upcoming NBA league stars.

Finn, who many Warriors fan know and love, regularly entertains and energizes soldout crowds during Warriors home games (now at Chase Center). He hosts the pre-game show “Warriors Warm-up,” introduces the team’s starting line-up, and conducts contests and promotions at the arena. He is in his 20th season with the Golden State Warriors franchise.

“My name came from my dad’s name, R-Bon. Though initially, my parents wanted to coin both their names to come up with mine. I guess my dad won on this one.”

Born in Houston to Filipino dad R-Bon and American mom Dana Walker, R’Bonney grew up in the Woodlands and Sugarlands area, specifically in Missouri City and Friendswood, with her three brothers. And though she was born and raised in the Texan state, she would spend her summers with her father’s side of the family in the Philippines. After all, her parents tied the knot in Manila years before she

“I am truly honored to not only represent the Golden State Warriors as a host in my first ever NBA All-Star, but I’m also doing this for all of my fellow Filipinos and the AAPI community. Representation matters. As the first Fil-Am ‘Hypeman’ and host in the NBA, this opportunity is a dream come true and to me this is more than just hosting the biggest NBA event. I’m happy if I can inspire anyone to dream big, aim high, and to reach their fullest potential. This moment is the pinnacle in my 20 plus seasons as the Warriors’ Hypeman & in-arena host. I never take these opportunities for granted. I may be the first Fil-Am, but I certainly hope I’m not the last. Mabuhay!” Finn told the Asian Journal in an email message.

Franco Finn is a firstgeneration San Francisco native. Born & raised in the Mission & Excelsior districts in Francisco, he eventually settled in the Sunset

District. Franco attended French American International School (FAIS) in grade school, where he had a bilingual education and learned how to be fluent in French. Finn then attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep in San Francisco, and received his B.A. in Communications at Santa Clara University.

For nearly a decade, Franco has been an aviation professional, working in many capacities within the airline industry from Brand Marketing, Partnerships, Communications, External Relations & Employee Engagement. Currently, Franco manages the Community Relations & Engagement efforts for the state of California at Alaska Airlines, while also serving as their company media spokesperson, host, and travel influencer.

Franco is an active member in the San Francisco community where he also serves on the Executive Board of the

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, board member for the Hotel Council of San Francisco, and was recently appointed as a Commissioner for the City & County of San Francisco’s Film Commission. When Franco is not working his business and corporate jobs, people recognize him and his voice in the last 20 years as the in-arena emcee/host and TV personality for the current NBA World Champion the Golden State Warriors. Finn is also a well-known professional auctioneer, nicknamed the “Hypeman Auctioneer,” where he shares his voice and influence at many charity benefits, galas, celebrity events and all types of fundraiser events around the San Francisco Bay Area, the country & beyond. He’s a graduate of the Mendenhall School of Auctioneering in North Carolina, as well as a member of