SCtoC Interview with Project FANchise co-owner Patrick Dees

[Bannock]

3/8/17 --

We are just three weeks into the Indoor Football League's 2017 season and we have seen the birth of the first fan run team in professional sports. Project FANchise allows Salt Lake Screaming Eagles fans to vote on aspects of running the team, including calling plays during games using the team's mobile application. FANchise owns the Screaming Eagles, as well as the Colorado Crush. The latter of the teams will open up play calling in week 5 with its own mobile app.

In the first of four meetings, what I am calling FANchise Bowl I, The Screaming Eagles rallied to defeat the Crush in overtime, 42-41, on March 26 in Loveland, Col.

I recently had the chance to speak with Project FANchise co-owner Patrick Dees about FANchise, the difference in running an expansion team versus taking the reigns of an established team joining the guys in the broadcast booth, and that trilling meeting between the Crush and the Screaming Eagles.

Below is the full recorded interview.

https%3A//soundcloud.com/user-462670343/interview-with-project-fanchise-co-owner-patrick-dees

The Crush and the Screaming Eagles next face off (in FANchise Bowl II?) on March 31 in West Valley City, Utah.

Colorado will visit the Arizona Rattlers on March 11 at 5 p.m. The Screaming Eagles will host the Spokane Empire for a Monday night meeting with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.

- Bannock

Photo of Patrick Dees (second from left) courtesy SI.com.


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[David]

I could see why that went just a smidge over the 1 hour mark. He sounds like one of those individuals that you get into a discussion with that time will get away from you. 

I didn't realize he was involved with the Las Vegas Outlaws either. As soon as he mentioned it, I connected the dots. He mentioned the use of a drone during the Crush game for camera views above the field. It reminded me that the Outlaws were the first arena franchise to use that, then it basically faded away... that and the ArenaFan individuals probably didn't think much of it because it came from a then-Shock fan. But I agree, his description of Vince Neil matches the articles that came out when the team folded. 

Even though my loyalties are with my home town Spokane Empire, I can't help but root for this guy. Very genuine and intelligent individual. 

[Nevadanut]

I was told that he took 10 minutes to answer the first question. The FIRST question! This was a really entertaining interview. I thought it was a neat exchange when Bannock talked about how he started liking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I also really liked the kind words Patrick had regarding Coach McCarthy. Whatever exactly happened, there's no reason to have hard feelings.

I really like Bannock's interview style. It's really professional. Friendly, but not afraid to as some of the tougher questions when it applies. The shout outs to members of the site are pretty great too!