Carlie Irsay-Gordon has assumed the primary ownership role of the Indianapolis Colts. This adjustment follows the passing of her father, Jim Irsay, just a few months ago. From birth, Irsay-Gordon was immersed in a football dynasty. She isn’t merely a figurehead—she has been a hands-on lifelong presence in the franchise, involved in every aspect of its operations and decision-making. Her hands-on approach—not common for “first daughters”—puts her in a singular position to lead the team, especially following the death of her father last month.
Though Irsay-Gordon spent her early adolescence immersed in football. As the oldest child of Jim Irsay, his father Jim Irsay took him around and trained him as the colt’s world for decades. Her childhood experience with, and knowledge of, every facet of the franchise is something her father ingrained in her and forced her to learn growing up. Her background has given Irsay-Gordon a unique perspective on the complexities of operating an NFL franchise.
In her new role, Irsay-Gordon interacts with coaches and players on football operations every day. It’s why her engagement is so vital to judging significant decisions, such as major free agent signings and coaching hires. She continues to attend special teams meetings as a routine practice. She credits her focus, especially being around Brian Mason, the team’s special teams coordinator. Mason noted, “She’s been in a majority of my meetings since I’ve been here,” underscoring her commitment to understanding the team’s operations.
It’s no wonder that the head coach of the Colts, Shane Steichen, placed a premium on owner awareness within the organization. He’s passionate about the need for leaders to remain informed in order to lead well. He remarked, “You’ve got to know what’s going on as an owner,” highlighting the importance of Irsay-Gordon’s active involvement.
Irsay-Gordon is an advocate of going all in, to understand the full context of where a team is succeeding and falling short. “I need to be able to say, ‘Is this person full of B.S.? Do they even know what they’re talking about?’” she stated, indicating her desire for transparency and accountability within the organization.
Her situation has been especially acute in recent years, bringing even more focus since her father’s death. As an owner who believes in the power of direct engagement, Irsay-Gordon’s style creates a culture of transparency and accountability. Mason stated, “It’s just a situation where she’s fully involved in the success of the organization,” reinforcing her commitment to leading the Colts effectively.
Their role—Irsay and Gordon—in assessing what’s working between teammates and what’s not goes beyond just watching. She is purposefully putting forward situations to gauge a response from players and coaches. For example, she took an interest in what could go wrong when miscommunication occurs in the passing game. This level of engagement allows her to identify areas that need improvement, as she stated, “It helps us be able to know, where do we need to make tweaks? What resources do we need? What do we need to fix?”
Her proactive stance is best exemplified by her conviction that her approach may serve as a model for others holding similar leadership roles. “I would suggest it for anyone else that has to pay coaches and GMs millions and millions of dollars. It helps you make a less expensive mistake potentially,” Irsay-Gordon remarked.
Colts receivers coach Reggie Wayne, a Hall of Fame receiver himself, said Irsay-Gordon is “all over” the organization. Her presence is still inarguably seen all over the field and around the team. Her increasing influence is indicative of broader movement toward a more active style of ownership. Most feel this is the right approach to find more success with this franchise.
As Carlie Irsay-Gordon embarks on this new chapter as principal owner, her extensive background and hands-on approach will undoubtedly shape the future of the Indianapolis Colts. She has a laser focus on getting smart on all the elements of the organization. This devotion prepares her to meet challenges ahead, while keeping her father’s legacy alive.
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