FANchise: Professional Football Disrupted?

Abstract

From the beginning, the goal of Project FANchise was to create a new “fan-centric” version of football, i.e. a team entirely run by fans. Founded in 2015 by Sohrob Farudi, Ray Austin, Grant Cohen, and Patrick Dees, FANchise is an ownership group of sports teams devoted to allowing fans to select head coaches and even call each play during games. The group launched the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles in 2017, the first team in the industry to have fans decide upon the team name, franchise location, coaches, referees, and even stadium snack options.

Readers of this case are challenged to assess the merits of FANchise’s innovative and still-emergent business model. This very public, highly emotional, highly profitable example of professional sport provides an opportunity to critique, innovate, and apply the business tool levers of contemporary competitive advantage.

This case was prepared for inclusion in Sage Business Cases primarily as a basis for classroom discussion or self-study, and is not meant to illustrate either effective or ineffective management styles. Nothing herein shall be deemed to be an endorsement of any kind. This case is for scholarly, educational, or personal use only within your university, and cannot be forwarded outside the university or used for other commercial purposes.

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