Sammi Jo Francis is a television personality with many different hats, as her Facebook intro says. She is sure to bring personality into her work.
In the world of sports journalism, Sammi Jo Francis has carved out a niche for herself as a dynamic and engaging storyteller. Her love for the art of storytelling drove her to a career in Sports Journalism. “‘I never wanted to work in news and cover things that were dark or heartbreaking or catastrophic,’ Francis said in a recent interview.” This passion allows sports journalism to choose her over her choosing it. Her journey began when she joined the SPEED Channel, now known as Fox Sports 1. “My undergraduate was less hands-on, so my internship was key in influencing my eventual chosen path. My earliest experiences in Sports Journalism were on the post-production side, which I think is unusual versus the traditional path that normally has college interns at a local news level,” said Francis.
Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Francis was fortunate to land her first real job in her hometown. Her undergraduate was less hands-on, so her internship was key in influencing her path. Her earliest experiences in Sports Journalism were on the post-production side, which is an unusual path for college interns. The market size was larger and she was the fourth member of the sports team, a part-timer with a desire to get better with every story. Francis was always growing in her skillset whether it was a way of shooting or a way of crafting her unique cadence.
As her career expanded, Francis brought a fresh East Coast perspective to the West Coast as a sports anchor at FOX 26 in Central Valley. Over the next two years, Francis captivated audiences with her in-depth coverage of local sports events, forging a strong connection with both athletes and viewers alike. Francis gained many memorable memories from her time in Central Valley at FOX26. Francis shared one of her favorite memories with me, “I really enjoyed covering Aaron Judge’s charity camp All Rise Foundation, because he’s such a gentle giant, played at Fresno State, and has a huge desire to give back to his roots. He was very nice and his Mom was adorable.” This is just one example of the many memorable experiences Francis had. Regularly, she enjoyed features with high school students in the Valley. She shares a sponsored segment she did where they would highlight a student-athlete who sometimes got overlooked. Francis developed a greater sense of storytelling from beginning to end during her time at FOX26.
Throughout her career, Francis has demonstrated an exceptional ability to uncover unique angles and bring out the personalities of the athletes she interviews. Her contributions to sports journalism have been recognized by peers and fans alike, solidifying her position as a rising star in the field (Sports Journalism Association, 2022). As of March 2025, Francis’s legacy in sports reporting continues to inspire and captivate audiences.
According to a quote by Lisa Wilson, the sports industry needs more women. Francis recounted her experiences at FOX 26, describing the challenges she faced and how she overcame them. Francis grew up with brothers and plenty of male cousins, she never felt like a “fish out of water”. Though, she still faced challenges as a woman in this field. Francis shares a moment that stuck out to her, “The amount of times I’ve been asked if I was going into the Panthers locker room after the game is wild, and I guarantee male sports reporters have never been asked”. I asked Francis what the best way to quiet haters is, she said to outwork them. “My sports director at FOX26 had been in the Valley for 30+ years… in addition to his 2 weeks vacation, he took off 54 days. I was just expected to be available whenever, and I finally got to the point where I felt like I could speak up for myself. Not from an emotional standpoint, but from a logical, professional POV. I think you have to work hard, have a strong voice, and be our own advocate.” Francis shared a story from her experience at FOX26. She navigated through tough challenges and came out the other end stronger. Work hard, have a strong voice, and be your own advocate.
“There’s such a big importance on digital presence and that is what I would focus on if I were just getting started.,” Francis advises. It is quite a challenge, it is in constant change, but it is with outstanding reward. If you are with true passion for connections with people and telling of stories, there is absolutely no better place to be in.” Francis gives her advice to aspiring sports journalists looking to break into the field today. ‘You have to be creative and true to yourself.’
Francis shares her story of how she got her first interview at her local news station. Francis made a reel, which was unrelated to her the local news station, and the news station loved it. She had no idea they would see it, “but it was me, embarrassingly me and that made me stand out, thankfully. It literally kickstarted my entire career path”
By: Curveballs & Culture with Abby