Quick Facts: Indianapolis Colts
| Current Owner | Carlie Irsay-Gordon (Owner & CEO) |
| Ownership Type | Private (family) |
| Owner Since | May 2025 |
| Predecessor | Jim Irsay (father, owner 1997–2025, died May 21, 2025) |
| Co-Leaders | Casey Foyt & Kalen Jackson (sisters) |
| Franchise Founded | 1953 (as Baltimore Colts) |
| Championship (Indianapolis era) | Super Bowl XLI (2007) |
Who Owns the Indianapolis Colts?
Carlie Irsay-Gordon became Owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, taking over as principal owner following the death of her father, longtime owner Jim Irsay, on May 21, 2025.
The Colts announced the ownership transition shortly after Jim Irsay’s death, with all three of his daughters — Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson — sharing leadership responsibilities for the franchise, though Carlie holds the formal Owner and CEO title recognized by the NFL.
Jim Irsay had owned the team since 1997, inheriting control from his father Robert Irsay, who bought the then-Baltimore Colts in 1972 and became infamous for moving the franchise to Indianapolis overnight in 1984 using a fleet of moving trucks to avoid legal attempts to block the relocation.
The 2025 transition to Jim Irsay’s daughters keeps the franchise under continuous family ownership across three generations, a notable contrast to franchises that pass to outside buyers after a founding owner’s death.
Indianapolis Colts Ownership History
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Franchise founded as Baltimore Colts | Carroll Rosenbloom | Original Baltimore-era ownership |
| 1972 | Robert Irsay acquires the team | Robert Irsay | Via trade for the Los Angeles Rams |
| 1984 | Team relocates to Indianapolis overnight | Robert Irsay | Moving trucks used to beat legal injunctions |
| 1997 | Jim Irsay inherits ownership | Jim Irsay | Following Robert Irsay’s death |
| 2007 | Super Bowl XLI championship | Jim Irsay | Peyton Manning-led title run |
| 2025–Present | Carlie Irsay-Gordon becomes Owner & CEO | Carlie Irsay-Gordon, with sisters Casey Foyt & Kalen Jackson | Following Jim Irsay’s death, May 21, 2025 |
About the Irsay Family
Robert Irsay’s 1984 overnight relocation of the Colts from Baltimore to Indianapolis remains one of the most dramatic and controversial franchise moves in NFL history, still remembered bitterly by longtime Baltimore football fans decades later.
Jim Irsay ran the team for nearly three decades, building the Peyton Manning-era Colts into consistent contenders and winning the franchise’s only Indianapolis-era Super Bowl in 2007, while also becoming known publicly for philanthropy, memorabilia collecting, and periods of personal and legal struggle.
Key Ownership Highlights
- Ownership has stayed in the Irsay family across three generations: Robert Irsay, then Jim Irsay, and now his three daughters.
- The 1984 relocation to Indianapolis remains historically infamous: executed overnight specifically to avoid legal efforts to keep the team in Baltimore.
- Leadership is now formally shared among three sisters: Carlie Irsay-Gordon holds the Owner and CEO title, while Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson share broader leadership duties.
- The transition happened quickly and was announced publicly: the Colts confirmed the ownership change shortly after Jim Irsay’s death in May 2025.
- The 2007 Super Bowl remains the only title of the Indianapolis era: won under Jim Irsay’s ownership with Peyton Manning at quarterback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Indianapolis Colts?
Carlie Irsay-Gordon, who became Owner and CEO in 2025 following her father Jim Irsay’s death.
When did Jim Irsay die?
May 21, 2025.
Are Jim Irsay’s other daughters involved in ownership?
Yes, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson share leadership responsibilities alongside Carlie Irsay-Gordon.
Why did the Colts move to Indianapolis?
Robert Irsay relocated the team overnight in 1984, using moving trucks to avoid legal attempts to block the move from Baltimore.
Have the Colts won a Super Bowl in Indianapolis?
Yes, Super Bowl XLI in 2007, led by Peyton Manning.
