On June 9, 2025, the Indianapolis Colts officially announced a significant transition in team ownership following the passing of longtime owner and CEO Jim Irsay on May 21, 2025. In accordance with longstanding plans set forth by Jim Irsay, ownership of the Colts has now passed to his three daughters: Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson. Each of the sisters has served as a Vice Chair/Owner of the Colts since 2012 and will now assume new leadership roles effective immediately.
Carlie Irsay-Gordon, the eldest daughter, has been named the team's Owner and CEO, serving as the principal owner as required by NFL bylaws. However, all three sisters will share leadership duties equally, reflecting a collaborative approach to running the franchise. Casey Foyt has been appointed Owner and Executive Vice President, while Kalen Jackson will serve as Owner, Chief Brand Officer, and President of the Indianapolis Colts Foundation.
The Colts are one of the few NFL franchises under sole family ownership, a legacy that began in 1972 when Robert Irsay, Jim's father, acquired the Baltimore Colts in a franchise trade involving the Los Angeles Rams. After operating the team in Baltimore for 12 years, Robert moved the franchise to Indianapolis in 1984. Upon Robert's death in 1997, Jim Irsay became sole owner, leading the team through some of its most successful years, including 10 division championships, two AFC Championships, and a Super Bowl XLI victory.
Carlie Irsay-Gordon, 44, has been deeply involved with the Colts organization for over two decades. Raised around the team, she interned in various departments while earning her undergraduate degree in religious studies from Skidmore College. She joined the Colts as a vice president in 2008 and has represented the team at NFL owners' meetings since 2004. Carlie was notably entrusted with day-to-day operations during her father's 2014 six-game suspension, signaling her preparedness to take on the principal owner role. She is also active in NFL administration, serving on the Media Owned & Operated Committee, the 32 Equity Committee, the Security & Fan Conduct Committee, and the NFL Player Care Foundation board. Additionally, Carlie created the Colts' Tony Dungy Diversity Coaching Fellowship and Harriet P. Irsay Fellowship for Women in Football programs, initiatives designed to foster diversity and inclusion within the sport.
Casey Foyt, the middle daughter, has a background in sports marketing and community relations. After graduating from Indiana University, she worked for the NFL in London, where she helped plan the league's first regular-season game outside North America in 2007, held at Wembley Stadium between the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins. Casey joined the Colts the same year, focusing on marketing and revitalizing community programs such as the Indianapolis Colts Women's Organization. She has also represented the club at NFL meetings and events. Casey resides in Carmel, Indiana, with her husband Anthony J. Foyt IV and their five children.
Kalen Jackson, the youngest sister, joined the Colts in 2010 and has been a key figure in the organization’s philanthropic and community outreach efforts. She leads the "Kicking The Stigma" initiative, a family-driven campaign aimed at raising awareness about mental health disorders and combating the stigma surrounding them. Since its inception in 2020, the initiative has committed over $30 million to nonprofits supporting treatment, research, and education. Kalen also serves on the national board of Project Healthy Minds and the local board of the United Way of Central Indiana. She is president of the Indianapolis Colts Women's Organization and chairs the NFL's Employee Benefits Committee. Kalen graduated with honors from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in sports management and marketing and lives in Indianapolis with her husband Boyd Jackson and their two daughters.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen praised the new owners, highlighting their passion and generosity. He remarked, "Being around Carlie and Kalen so much, the passion they have for this town, this city and the generosity, doing everything they can to help those players and this team be successful, is awesome." Steichen also emphasized Carlie's deep football knowledge and hands-on approach, stating, "When you talk football with her, she gets it. She goes over the defensive stuff, the offensive stuff, she’s been involved since I’ve been here. From day one, very hands-on, and she’s been tremendous. I think she’s going to do a phenomenal job." Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. echoed this sentiment, noting the sisters' rare level of engagement with players: "Carlie, Kalen, especially those two, they’re in here daily, they’re talking to players, having one-on-one conversations, asking us what we think we need. That’s something you don’t really see. You don’t really see owners asking players directly, ‘How can I help you?’ I feel like that’s what makes them different."
The transition comes at a pivotal moment for the Colts, who finished the 2024 season with an 8-9 record, missing the postseason. The leadership shift ensures continuity and honors Jim Irsay’s legacy, who was a beloved figure in Indianapolis and a driving force behind the team’s success. His influence extended beyond football, helping transform Indiana from a basketball-centric state into a football-loving community.
This ownership change marks the second such transition in the NFL in 2025, following the Chicago Bears' shift to George McCaskey after the passing of his mother, Virginia Halas McCaskey. The Colts’ announcement underscores the rarity and significance of family-owned franchises in the league, joining ranks with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals.
As the Irsay daughters take the helm, their combined experience within the Colts organization and the NFL at large positions them well to guide the franchise into the future. Their stewardship promises to uphold the values and competitive spirit instilled by their father and grandfather, while also advancing community engagement and inclusivity initiatives.
With Carlie Irsay-Gordon as principal owner and CEO, Casey Foyt as executive vice president, and Kalen Jackson as chief brand officer and foundation president, the Indianapolis Colts embark on a new chapter—one rooted in family tradition, comprehensive leadership, and a shared commitment to both the sport and the city they represent.
