Working for the NBA is anything but typical. Franklin & Marshall graduate Alisyn “Ali” Narracci ’22 wouldn't have it any other way. 

“I like working with brands. I like seeing events come to life. I'm not someone who can sit at a desk all day,” said Narracci, assistant manager of global marketing partnerships at the NBA.

A joint major in business and psychology, Naracci was a forward on the Diplomat women's basketball team and member of Student Athlete Leadership Council. She was named to the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll four years in a row.

“I knew I wanted to work in sports and pave my own path,” Narracci told students at a March 30 lunch and learn event on campus.

She packed her bags for Indianapolis shortly after graduation to work at the NCAA as coordinator of championship engagement. Narracci credits that role as her springboard to the NBA, along with two internships during her time at F&M with the NCAA and Lancaster Stormers baseball team. 

Now living in New York City, Narracci oversees brand partnerships and event activation for the NBA, WNBA, USA Basketball, and G League. While no day is the same, her takeaways from F&M remain the same. Below, see her ‘Starting Five’ leadership lessons. 

“I knew I wanted to work in sports and pave my own path.”

Ali Narracci ’22

Narracci’s Top 5 Leadership Tips

1. Importance of Relationships

“I've been lucky enough to have people in my corner. But it didn't happen overnight,” Narracci said. “It took a lot of meaningful and authentic conversations over time to build those relationships.” She recommends staying in touch with clients and former colleagues on LinkedIn and through networking events. 

2. Lessons Learned at F&M

The liberal arts advantage is undeniable, Narracci says. 

“We’ve all sat in classes in different disciplines that have nothing to do with our major and asked, ‘Why am I here?’ It took time for me to realize that it is actually super beneficial in the working world,” she said.

Narracci credits undergraduate coursework for helping her develop the skills to analyze perspectives, compose emails and pitches, synthesize information and understand group dynamics.

3. Take Initiative 

While working for the NCAA, Narracci aspired to work at the Final Four (basketball semifinals).  She pitched ideas to her boss and ended up attending both the men’s and women’s events. 

“It was the most insane experience of my life,” she said. “I got ownership of huge projects and huge events. That really paid off when I was looking for future jobs.

4. Growth Happens Outside of Your Comfort Zone

“I used to hate raising my hand in class. I used to hate giving presentations,” Narracci said. Even recruiting new members to her Alpha Phi sorority felt daunting. 

In retrospect, “All of those things pay out so much in my current role. It was a fundamental basis of what I do for my job now. I have to build relationships with people,” she said.  

“Once you continuously and repeatedly do something, it becomes second nature and it's a little bit less scary every single time,” she added.

5. Everything Always Works Out

“A fundamental pillar of how I live my life now is trusting that what is meant for you won't miss you,” Narracci said. “I know it's way easier said than done.” 

“Every opportunity has a lesson that you'll learn from, whether you know it in the moment or not. I wish I could just give my senior-year self a little glimpse into my life right now, because I think she would be a lot less stressed.” 

Ali Narracci '22 was a forward on the Diplomat women's basketball team and member of Student Athlete Leadership Council. She was named to the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll four years in a row. (Photo by Dave Sinclair)

As assistant manager of global marketing partnerships at the NBA, Narracci oversees brand partnerships and event activation for the NBA, WNBA, USA Basketball, and G League.

“I like working with brands. I like seeing events come to life. I'm not someone who can sit at a desk all day,” said Narracci, assistant manager of global marketing partnerships at the NBA.

Narracci began her sports management career as coordinator of championship engagement for the NCAA.

As an NCAA coordinator, Narracci worked at the Final Four (basketball semifinals). “It was the most insane experience of my life,” she said.

As an F&M student, Narracci was a game day intern for the Lancaster Stormers, an independent baseball team. The team’s stadium is located just minutes from campus.

Narracci '22 spoke to F&M students on March 30 about her career path to assistant manager of global marketing partnerships at the NBA. (Photo by Deb Grove)

“I knew I wanted to work in sports and pave my own path,” Narracci said. (Photo by Deb Grove)

“A fundamental pillar of how I live my life now is trusting that what is meant for you won't miss you,” Narracci said. “I know it's way easier said than done.” (Photo by Deb Grove)

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