51¶ºÄÌ

Education

B.A., Communications, Southern Connecticut State University

About Joe

Joe Franco is a business and media consultant, career coach and educator. Joe was instrumental in developing an opportunity for collaborative learning between senior executives at Turner Sports Network and students in the business and communication programs at University of New 51¶ºÄÌ. As a result, students learned how to effectively frame, navigate and help improve Turner’s esports programming.

Joe began his career in broadcasting when he helped to pioneer the cable TV industry with the launch of ESPN.

In five decades at ESPN, he held various management positions in production operations while covering numerous national college and professional sporting events. Joe played a pivotal role in the launch of ESPN’s 24-hour news/information network, ESPN News and is the recipient of four national Emmy Awards.

An ambassador for ESPN as Manager of University and Diversity Relations, Joe collaborated with more than 150 colleges and universities throughout the United States, and influenced countless young people who were awarded internships, co-ops and entry level opportunities with ESPN.

Since leaving ESPN, Joe has promoted new ventures in sports, media and entertainment. Business partners include the American Basketball Enterprises and Elite Hoops Tournament. He is the Senior Strategic Technology and Business Advisor to the Chairman for Grid News Bureau, Inc. and COO for TaleGator Distributors LLC.

Joe co-founded a student targeted career consulting firm, Hired! Education. He helps set students on a pathway to professional success through presentations to colleges and universities and one-on-one mentoring.

Joe is a member of the Middlesex Community College Digital Media advisory board, New England School of Communications advisory board, and the advisory boards of the Schools of Sport Management at University of New 51¶ºÄÌ and Southern Connecticut State University.