Indianapolis Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay Dies at 65
Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay has passed away at the age of 65, according to a statement released by the team on Wednesday. Irsay had led the Colts since 1997 and was widely regarded as one of the most influential owners in the NFL.
"We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon," Colts chief operating officer Pete Ward said in a statement released by the team. "Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed."
Irsay is survived by his daughters Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson; his ex-wife and his daughters’ mother, Meg Coyle; and 10 grandchildren. Carlie Irsay-Gordon, his eldest daughter, is seen as the most involved in team operations and took her father’s place during his NFL suspension in 2014 after his DWI arrest.
The news of Irsay’s passing has sent shockwaves throughout the NFL community, with tributes pouring in from across the league. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement, saying: "We were deeply saddened to learn of Jim Irsay’s passing today. Jim was a friend, and a man deeply committed to his family, the game, the Colts, and the Indianapolis community. He led with integrity, passion and care for the Colts’ players, coaches and staff, and his courageous work in support of mental health will be a lasting legacy."
Irsay’s health had been a concern in recent years, particularly after he was hospitalized in December 2023 following a suspected overdose. He had made a few public appearances in the year since, but had not been seen much lately. According to ESPN, Irsay did not attend the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, in March nor the league meeting in Eagan, Minnesota, this week.
Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, widely considered the greatest player in Colts history, was among those to mourn Irsay’s death. "I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing," Manning posted to social media. "He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL. His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched. His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten."
As reported by ESPN, Irsay assumed principal ownership of the Colts at 37 years old after the death of his father, Bob, and following the conclusion of a legal battle with his stepmother. He became the NFL’s youngest owner at the time but would grow into one of its most influential during his stewardship of the club.
Under Irsay’s watch, the Colts advanced to two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLI after the 2006 season. Perhaps the most enduring image of Irsay is a photograph taken that night, Feb. 4, 2007, holding the Lombardi Trophy high in his right hand, oblivious to the falling rain, basking in the franchise’s greatest moment in a generation.
Irsay was also a prominent collector, with a world-renowned traveling exhibit called the Jim Irsay Collection. The collection includes more than 500 of the world’s most unique items, from Muhammad Ali’s championship belt from the "Rumble in the Jungle" to what many consider the world’s foremost assemblage of classic guitars.
In his personal life, Irsay had been open about his struggles with addiction, saying in a November 2023 interview with HBO Sports that he had been to rehab at least 15 times. The Irsay family spearheaded an effort in recent years to address mental health and addiction challenges through their "Kicking the Stigma" fundraising campaign.
As reported by ESPN, moving forward, ownership of the Colts is expected to be transferred to Irsay’s daughters. Each was given an ownership title in 2012 and has had active roles in the organization for years. Irsay had always been clear about his intentions, saying: "We’re keeping 100 percent of the team, and I’m passing it on to my children." The team will now move forward under the leadership of Irsay’s daughters, ensuring his legacy continues.
