Indianapolis Colts buyer and CEO Jim Irsay dies at 65

Stephen Holder

May 21, 2025, 07:46 PM ET

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts buyer Jim Irsay, who had led the aggregation back 1997 and presided over one of the acclaimed franchise's greatest eras, died Wednesday. He was 65.

"We are devastated to advertise our admired Buyer & CEO, Jim Irsay, anesthetized abroad affably in his beddy-bye this afternoon," Colts arch operating administrator Pete Ward said in a account appear by the team. "Jim's adherence and affection for the Indianapolis Colts in accession to his generosity, charge to the community, and best importantly, his adulation for his ancestors were unsurpassed."

Irsay is survived by his daughters Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson; his ex-wife and his daughters' mother, Meg Coyle; and 10 grandchildren.

Irsay-Gordon, his earlier daughter, is apparent as the best complex in aggregation operations and took her father's abode during his NFL abeyance in 2014 afterwards his DWI arrest.

"We were acutely afflicted to apprentice of Jim Irsay's casual today. Jim was a friend, and a man acutely committed to his family, the game, the Colts, and the Indianapolis community," NFL abettor Roger Goodell said in a statement. "He led with integrity, affection and affliction for the Colts' players, coaches and staff, and his adventuresome assignment in abutment of brainy bloom will be a abiding legacy. ... On account of the absolute NFL, I extend my ardent condolences to Jim's daughters and their families, and to his abounding accompany throughout the NFL."

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Irsay's bloom came beneath analysis back he was ailing afterwards aboriginal responders begin him above in his bedchamber in December 2023, with badge anecdotic the adventure in a address as a doubtable overdose. The abutting month, afterwards Irsay was not apparent about for assorted weeks, the Colts said in a account that he was actuality advised for a "severe respiratory illness."

Irsay had fabricated a few accessible appearances in the year back those incidents, but he had not been apparent abundant lately. He did not appear the NFL's anniversary affair in Palm Beach, Florida, in March nor the alliance affair in Eagan, Minnesota, this week, and he was not believed to be present during aftermost month's NFL draft.

Earlier Wednesday, he had acquaint his abutment for the Indiana Pacers and buyer Herb Simon advanced of their aperture bold of the Eastern Conference finals adjoin the New York Knicks, autograph on amusing media, "Go PACERS. Good luck to Herb, the absolute @Pacers organization, and our city!"

Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, broadly advised the greatest amateur in Colts history, was amid those to ache Irsay's death.

"I am crestfallen to apprehend about Jim Irsay's passing," Manning acquaint to amusing media. "He was an abundantly acceptable and amorous buyer and I will consistently be accountable to him for giving me my alpha in the NFL. His adulation for the Colts and the burghal of Indy was unmatched. His appulse on the players who played for him will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his ancestors and anybody in the Colts community. He will be missed. Jim, blow in accord my friend."