Rosana Franco Bio, Age, Height, Son, Career, ESPN Deportes, Net Worth, Republica Deportiva & Facts

Rosana Franco is a trailblazing Mexican sportscaster who broke barriers as the first female co-host of a Spanish-language sports show in the United States, spending 13 years on Univision’s República Deportiva before becoming a cornerstone of ESPN Deportes’ morning lineup. A Monterrey native with a soccer pedigree—her father played professionally for UNAM Pumas—she has covered everything from World Cups and Gold Cups to MLB World Series and Super Bowls over a journalism career spanning nearly three decades. At 56, she remains one of the most recognizable voices in Hispanic sports media, known for her sharp analysis, unmistakable charisma, and lifelong loyalty to her hometown club, the Tigres.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Rosana Franco was born on March 1, 1970, in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, into a family with deep athletic roots . Her father, Roberto Vazquez, was a professional soccer player who suited up for the UNAM Pumas in Mexico City, passing a love of sports down to his daughter .

As a child, Franco was drawn to athletics, participating in track and field, gymnastics, basketball, and even pickup baseball games on the streets of Monterrey . She later enrolled at the Universidad Regiomontana in her hometown, earning a degree in Communications that would serve as the foundation for her broadcasting career .

Career Journey

Acting Beginnings and the Pivot to Sports

Before stepping in front of a sports desk, Franco tried her hand at acting, appearing in various Mexican films and commercials . But she quickly missed the competitive energy of athletics and sought a way to merge her on-camera presence with her lifelong passion for sports.

República Deportiva and Univision Stardom (1998–2012)

In 1998, Univision launched a nationwide casting call in three cities—including Guadalajara—to assemble a team of commentators for a new weekly sports show, República Deportiva. Franco auditioned and was selected from a pool of 500 candidates to join hosts Fernando Fiore and Jorge Gomez . The role made her the first female co-host of a Spanish-language sports program in the United States, instantly establishing her as a pioneer for women in Hispanic sports media .

Over the next 13 years, Franco became one of the most visible sports journalists in the U.S. Hispanic market. She also contributed sports segments to Primer Impacto and used her platform to advocate for women’s rights in a traditionally male-dominated field . During her Univision tenure, she covered an impressive slate of major events: three FIFA World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010), three FIFA Confederations Cups, five CONCACAF Gold Cups, Mexican National Team championship tournaments since 1999, world championship boxing matches, seven MLB World Series, and the Super Bowls of 2007 and 2011 .

In April 2012, Franco was dismissed from Univision amid a broader round of layoffs, ending a landmark run at the network .

ESPN Deportes Era (2013–Present)

In October 2013, Franco landed at ESPN Deportes, joining the network’s first live morning simulcast show, Raza Deportiva . Based in Miami, she appears alongside Omar Orlando Salazar, Leo Vega, and a coast-to-coast roster of talent including David Faitelson, Rafael Ramos, and Oscar Restrepo from Bogotá . The show also airs simultaneously on ESPN Deportes Radio.

Franco also co-hosts #Redes, a sports talk and social-media-driven program alongside Carolina Guillén, Alfredo Lomeli, and Poncho Vera . Her role at ESPN has kept her at the center of the biggest stories in Latin American and U.S. Hispanic sports for more than a decade.

Hall of Fame Recognition

In 2004, Franco was inducted into the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame, sharing the honor with MLB pitching legend Juan Marichal .

Career Stats & Milestones

• 1998: Selected from 500 applicants to co-host República Deportiva
• 1998–2012: 13 years as Univision sports host
• 2013–present: ESPN Deportes correspondent and host
• Major Events: 3 World Cups, 3 Confederations Cups, 5 Gold Cups, 7 MLB World Series, 2 Super Bowls
• 2004: Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame inductee
• First female co-host of a Spanish-language U.S. sports show

Personal Life

Son and Family

Franco is a mother to one son, Armando, born in 1990 . In July 2021, she shared a photo with him on social media, offering a rare glimpse into her family life . She has kept details about her son’s father and any other relationships extremely private; public records indicate she is possibly single with no documented past relationships .

Hobbies and Passions

Franco is an outspoken supporter of Tigres UANL, the Monterrey soccer club, and frequently references her northern Mexican roots . She is active on social media—particularly Facebook, where she has built a following of more than 180,000 fans—sharing travel snapshots, behind-the-scenes moments from ESPN, and commentary on matches .

Controversies

Franco has not been involved in any major public controversies. Her 2012 departure from Univision was part of a wider corporate restructuring rather than a personal scandal, and she has maintained a professional, controversy-free reputation throughout her career.

Awards & Achievements

• Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame — Inducted 2004 (alongside Juan Marichal)
• Pioneering Distinction — First female co-host of a Spanish-language sports show in the United States
• ESPN Deportes — Cornerstone host of Raza Deportiva and #Redes for 12+ years
• Univision Legacy — 13-year run on República Deportiva; covered 3 World Cups and 5 Gold Cups

Physical Statistics

Quotes

While Franco has not published widely quoted personal maxims, her professional philosophy is reflected in her advocacy for women in sports media:

“She has said that she wants to use her position to champion women’s rights.”
— Wikipedia career summary

Favorites

• Soccer Team: Tigres UANL (Monterrey, Mexico)
• Hometown: Monterrey, Nuevo León
• Alma Mater: Universidad Regiomontana
• Career Highlight: Covering multiple FIFA World Cups
• Social Platform: Facebook (180,000+ followers)

Earnings

Rosana Franco’s exact net worth and salary have not been publicly disclosed. As a long-tenured host at ESPN Deportes and a former Univision star with nearly three decades of experience, her annual compensation likely falls in the upper range for Spanish-language sports broadcasters in the United States, potentially reaching six figures depending on contract terms, event coverage bonuses, and media obligations. There are no verified reports of real estate holdings or business ventures outside broadcasting.

Interesting Facts

• Franco was chosen from 500 auditioners to join República Deportiva in 1998, beating out candidates across multiple cities .
• Her father, Roberto Vazquez, played professionally for UNAM Pumas, one of Mexico’s most storied soccer clubs .
• She is the first female co-host of a Spanish-language sports program in U.S. television history .
• She has covered seven MLB World Series and two Super Bowls in addition to her extensive soccer portfolio .
• Franco has built a social media following of 180,000+ on Facebook, where she shares lifestyle and travel content alongside sports commentary .
• She was inducted into the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, a rare honor for a broadcaster at that stage of her career .

Did You Know Already?

• Franco started her career in acting, appearing in Mexican films and commercials before pivoting to sports journalism .
• She was let go from Univision in April 2012 as part of a larger staff reduction, not due to performance issues .
• Her ESPN Deportes morning show, Raza Deportiva, is a simulcast that airs on both television and radio simultaneously .
• She has been with ESPN Deportes since October 2013, meaning she crossed the 12-year milestone with the network in late 2025 .

Social Media Links

• Facebook: Rosana Franco (180,000+ followers)
• ESPN Deportes Profile: ESPN Press Room
• IMDb: Rosana Franco on IMDb
• Wikipedia: Rosana Franco

Note: Franco does not appear to maintain publicly active Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, or YouTube accounts separate from her Facebook and professional ESPN profiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Rosana Franco?
Rosana Franco was born on March 1, 1970, making her 56 years old as of 2026.

Where is Rosana Franco from?
She was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, and proudly supports her hometown soccer club, the Tigres UANL .

What is Rosana Franco known for?
She is best known as the first female co-host of a Spanish-language sports show in the United States (República Deportiva on Univision) and as a longtime host on ESPN Deportes (Raza Deportiva, #Redes).

Does Rosana Franco have children?
Yes. She has one son, Armando, born in 1990 .

Is Rosana Franco married?
There are no public records of a current or past spouse. Available information indicates she is possibly single .

Where did Rosana Franco go to college?
She earned her communications degree from the Universidad Regiomontana in Monterrey, Mexico .

What major sporting events has Rosana Franco covered?
She has covered three FIFA World Cups, three Confederations Cups, five CONCACAF Gold Cups, seven MLB World Series, and two Super Bowls, among other events .

Conclusion

Rosana Franco’s journey from the streets of Monterrey to the anchor desks of Univision and ESPN Deportes is a story of persistence, talent, and barrier-breaking resolve. At 56, she remains a defining voice for Spanish-speaking sports fans across the Americas, having spent nearly three decades covering the world’s biggest events while paving the way for the next generation of women in sports media. Whether breaking down a World Cup match on Raza Deportiva or cheering on the Tigres from afar, Franco continues to prove that passion and professionalism know no language barrier.

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