INDIANAPOLIS – Jim Ilsai grew up in privilege along with his father Bob and gained enough fortune to win the Baltimore Colts in 1972 when young Ilsai was 13 years old.
However, Irsay’s involvement with the team that moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984 did not stem from the boardroom. He often talked about talking about threats around the franchise, such as picking up player jock straps while cleaning locker rooms. He later assisted the ticket office, answered calls and handled various tasks.
Irsay’s time on the franchise, which later worked in the HR department and served as general manager, helped him learn the business of football and informed him how he would govern when he became owner in Indianapolis after his father’s death in 1997.
Irsay passed away Wednesday at age 65, bringing the forefront of what ownership of the next generation of Indianapolis Colts will look like.
Irsay’s three daughters – Karly Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson, benefit from the same kind of football that once raised their father, spending their entire life around the franchise, working in many abilities within it.
That’s part of why they’re ready to take the job as colts co-owners.
“I started at the ticket office,” Irsay-Gordon said with his father at Colts Town Hall in 2017. “However, over the years my dad has encouraged me to join my sisters and me in places of interest.
“When we were growing up, it was ‘You don’t need to do this.’ But I love it. ”
Each of the daughters was given the title of “Vice-Chair/Owner” 14 years ago. This is the father’s efforts to make it clear that team ownership remains in the family.
Each found her footing. My eldest son, Irsay-Gordon, works hard in the region, from marketing to soccer, and is deeply involved in the team’s daily operations. She serves on multiple ownership committees, including the committee that oversees the league’s strategic capital funds.
With a degree in sports management, Voyt has experience at a special event that appeared in the NFL’s first regular season game in London in 2007.
Jackson, the youngest daughter, has become the face of the franchise’s charity initiative. Kicking the stigma To date, the effort has committed more than $31 million in grants to organizations working in mental health spaces. She also chairs the NFL Employee Benefits Committee.
However, it was Irsay-Gordon who was drawn to the management side of the work and worked to understand each aspect of the organization. As a result, she has become a central figure in running franchises in recent years.
Irsay-Gordon follows the script along with his coach in preparation for bystanders during practice. She can often be found on the sidelines during games wearing a headset and holding a coach’s call sheet. According to sources, the aim is to help to develop personal views of workplace coaches and players and expand their knowledge of the game.
“Specifically, Carly will be the perfect modern owner,” said an executive from another team who knows the family. “Carly has been incorporated into the business at this point for probably over a decade. She is smart, a continuous learner and works closely to understand football from a scouting and coaching perspective.
“She also has an unusual blend of evaluating heritage and professional expertise, but she is not bound by it because she is a progressive thinker, as well as the skills of very good people.
Irsay-Gordon was tapped to temporarily meet his father’s role during a 2014 suspension imposed by the league, following the arrest of DUI. The Colts said at the time that she would retain ultimate decision-making power in his absence. Now she’s back to center stage again.
“People can underestimate her if they want, but she’s tough, sharp, intelligent, working very hard, knowing football and innovative,” said an executive who was a different team from another team who knows her family. “As long as she’s dressed in the right people, she’ll be amazing.”
While working for the organization, Irsay-Gordon had a major impact on restructuring the business side of the franchise in terms of structure and personnel. Still entrenched are two longtime Irsay confidants who are likely to play a key role in the transition. Pete Ward, the franchise’s 45th season, is Chief Operating Officer, and Dan Emerson, Chief Legal Officer, who has been advising IRSAYS since 1984.
There are still unanswered questions, including how sisters can reach a consensus on decision making. It is also unclear how he will be affected.
But there is one thing that is unquestionable. Irsay Daughters has been preparing for this job for the rest of his life. And now it’s their time.
