When you own the team you can do whatever you want.
The problem for some owners is that what they want to do is not good for their team. I know what you’re thinking before I write this next line, but I’m not referring to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, not yet anyway, but rather the owner of the team that his squad is meeting this week in Indianapolis, the Colts.
The ownership of the Colts franchise has been in the Irsay family since the current owner’s grandfather, Robert Irsay, purchased the Los Angeles Rams from the estate of the late owner, Dan Reeves, for $19 million. Irsay wanted a National Football League team closer to his primary business located in Chicago, so soon after acquiring the Rams he made an ownership swap with Baltimore Colts owner Caroll Rosenbloom.
The Rams thrived under Rosenbloom's ownership while the Colts floundered. One of the NFL franchises with the richest history in the game, read that as Johnny Unitas, was relegated to second tier status. In the dead of night, Robert Irsay moved the Colts from Baltimore and relocated the team to Indianapolis in 1984.
The Colts redemption began in 1998 with the drafting of future Hall of Fame Quarterback Peyton Manning. By this time, the franchise was being run by Robert Irsay’s son, Jim Irsay, who had a reputation as good as his dad’s was bad. The Colts enjoyed mostly successful years with the younger Irsay running the franchise and captured a Super Bowl to complete the 2006 season, which was ten years after Robert had died.
On May 21, 2025, Jim Irsay died and following his death the ownership of the Colts transferred to his three daughters, Carlie, Casey and Kalen. Carlie became the team’s principal owner and CEO.