Franchesca Gonzalez

Footprint Center, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury Logos

Manager, Premium Experience
Footprint Center, Phoenix Suns, and Phoenix Mercury

Connect with Franchesca:
fgonzalez@suns.com

QUICK FACTS:

  • Events: NBA, WNBA, Concerts, Minor League Baseball

  • Years in Sports:  11

  • Fueled by:  Iced Coffee

  • Energized by: Despite the fast-paced nature of the event environment, the competitiveness of the industry and the privilege of being part of it fuel her drive and give her the energy to push forward every day.

EMBRACING THE UNEXPECTED TO FOLLOW HER DREAMS…
A New York native, Franchesca started her first sports job at her local minor league baseball team when she turned fifteen. She started in concessions selling ice cream, where she quickly fell in love with the environment and the guests. She knew she wanted to continue working in sports, so she attended the University of Georgia for Sports Management where she worked in the Athletics Department as a student. 

After graduation, she interned with Disney for 9 months, learning valuable guest service standards,  before joining the Phoenix Suns in 2022. Though brief, her time at Disney taught her the true meaning of guest service and the importance of creating value. She learned to focus on impactful experiences, knowing some guests may only get to attend one event. She is inspired by the guests she serves, striving to make each event a memorable experience.

Franchesca began her time in Phoenix as a part-time Team Captain and quickly advanced to the role of Guest Services Manager. Shortly after she joined, the Suns completed extensive renovations, which included the launch of three new premium areas. The need arose for someone to oversee these spaces and Franchesca stepped up to the challenge, playing a key role in the successful rollout of these areas. Her dedication led to her current position as Manager of Premium Experience.


BEYOND THE EVENTS:
For her, a supportive family is everything—it’s what keeps her grounded and brings her true happiness amid the chaos of a demanding schedule and the excitement of the arena.  Outside of work, her greatest joy comes from her husband, family, and dog. She prioritizes balance, noting that in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of events, having a sense of stability at home is invaluable.

Franchesca lives by the motto, "Expect the unexpected." She advises anyone entering the industry to have zero expectations and just come along for the ride. She emphasizes the importance of staying prepared for anything that comes your way, embracing challenges with a positive attitude, and being ready to tackle the unexpected at any moment.

She referenced what it means to be open and ready for anything by highlighting that her best memories are when she worked in baseball where she picked up fireworks after a game, pulled the tarp, served food, and more.