IBJ Podcast: How Irsay’s daughters carved out big roles with Colts and could handle succession

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With an estimated value of $4.8 billion, the Indianapolis Colts franchise is arguably the best-known family-owned business in Indiana. While we reflect on the passing of team owner Jim Irsay, who had significant influence on building the physical plant and identity of modern Indianapolis, we have the luxury of knowing that three more Irsays are in a position to continue that work and stewardship of the team. Daughters Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Kalen Jackson and Casey Foyt already are co-owners of the team and have been entrenched for years as high-level executives. In particular, Irsay-Gordon has been so deeply involved in every aspect of football operations that it’s widely assumed she will claim the role of controlling owner. These women have spent much of their adult lives preparing for this eventuality, but experts maintain that succession in professional sports is always a challenge, regardless of the circumstances.

Jim Irsay seemed very comfortable in the public eye and as a sometimes larger-than-life figure. His daughters have kept much lower profiles—so much so that many casual fans probably aren’t aware of their existence. In this week’s podcast, we’re going to try to change that. IBJ has interviewed both Carlie and Kalen in past years, and we’ll share excerpts from those interviews that are relevant to this moment. We also have comments from one of the team’s on-field leaders about his experiences with Irsay-Gordon and Jackson. Our in-studio guest is IBJ’s Mickey Shuey, who has a story in the latest issue of IBJ about the ways the three sisters bcame key figures in the franchise. He also explores how the NFL typically handles succession issues and what financial concerns the daughters likely will face moving forward.

Click here to find the IBJ Podcast each Monday. You can also subscribe at iTunesTune In, Spotify and any other place you find podcasts.

You can also listen to these recent episodes:

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2 thoughts on “IBJ Podcast: How Irsay’s daughters carved out big roles with Colts and could handle succession

  1. Why can’t the media let them bury and grieve their dad? All of this speculation and commentary isn’t nessisary. We all know there was and is a plan. Let them share when they are ready.

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