The Indianapolis Colts are entering a new era following the passing of beloved owner Jim Irsay on May 21, 2025. Irsay, who was 65, passed away in his sleep due to cardiac arrest, with contributing conditions including acute pneumonia, chronic atrial fibrillation, and cardiac arrhythmia. His death marked the end of a significant chapter for the Colts, a team he led for 28 years and guided to numerous successes, including a Super Bowl victory.
In a move that underscores the Irsay family's commitment to the franchise, Jim Irsay's three daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson, are stepping into leadership roles. The Colts officially announced the ownership transition on Monday, June 9, 2025, detailing the new roles each daughter will assume. Carlie Irsay-Gordon will take on the position of Owner & CEO, serving as the team's principal owner. Casey Foyt will become Owner & Executive Vice President, while Kalen Jackson will be Owner & Chief Brand Officer and President of the Indianapolis Colts Foundation. All three sisters have been serving as Colts Vice Chair/Owner since 2012, preparing them for this transition.
The announcement has been met with widespread reactions, including from prominent NFL figures like Fox Sports reporter Erin Andrews. Andrews, a veteran sportscaster who has closely followed the Colts and Jim Irsay's leadership over the years, shared her succinct but positive response on Instagram. Sharing a post from Football Forever detailing the ownership transition, Andrews simply wrote: "This. Awesome." Her two-word message conveys her approval and confidence in the Irsay sisters' ability to lead the team forward.
The transition keeps the Colts within the Irsay family, who have maintained sole ownership of the franchise since 1972, when Robert Irsay acquired the Baltimore Colts. Jim Irsay took over in 1997 after his father's death and famously declared his intention to pass the team on to his children. This succession ensures the Colts remain one of the few NFL teams under family ownership.
Carlie Irsay-Gordon, as the new Owner & CEO, has been involved in all aspects of the club for 14 seasons as Vice Chair/Owner. She interned in various departments and has a strong educational background with a degree in religious studies and doctoral coursework in clinical psychology. Casey Foyt has been involved in the team's marketing and community relations since 2007, while Kalen Jackson has focused on community and philanthropic efforts since joining the front office in 2010. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and a shared vision for the Colts' future. The Irsay sisters are also among a small group of female owners in the NFL, joining Sheila Ford Hamp of the Detroit Lions, Gayle Benson of the New Orleans Saints, and Amy Adams Strunk of the Tennessee Titans.
