Fresno Grizzlies President Derek Franks to Depart After 22 Years

Derek Franks, who has served as president and general manager of the Fresno Grizzlies, will depart the organization after a 22-year run, the club said in a news release issued Feb. 25, 2026. The announcement marks the end of a more than two-decade tenure for a single executive at one of Fresno County’s most visible sports organizations.

Franks’ 22 years with the Grizzlies establish a tenure that began around 2004 and spans multiple local business cycles and franchise phases. As president and general manager, Franks held the top executive titles responsible for team operations and commercial partnerships. That continuity under one executive can affect season planning, sponsorship agreements and stadium-related revenue streams in Fresno County.

The timing of the Feb. 25, 2026 news release places the departure just ahead of the spring sports calendar when roster moves, ticket packages and local sponsorships typically ramp up. A leadership change at the executive level in late February has the potential to influence operational decisions tied to the 2026 season, including contractual negotiations and municipal arrangements that rely on stable front-office leadership.

The club made the announcement through its Feb. 25 news release; the notice formally communicates the organization’s decision and signals an upcoming transition in Fresno-area sports management. Franks’ exit concludes a 22-year chapter for the Grizzlies’ front office and sets the stage for new leadership to manage the team’s business and community relationships across Fresno County in the months ahead.