In May, the Indianapolis Colts suffered the loss of their longtime owner, Jim Irsay, who had led the franchise since 1997. Following his passing, ownership of the team transitioned to his daughter, Carlie Irsay-Gordon.
Since taking over, Irsay-Gordon has gained attention for her hands-on approach as an owner. While some have labeled her involvement as micromanaging, a Colts linebacker recently shared how the team truly feels about her presence within the organization.
Colts Linebacker Sets Record Straight on Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s Ownership Style
Since taking over for her father, Irsay-Gordon has made headlines for her unique ownership style. After the Colts’ Week 10 win over the Falcons in Berlin, she celebrated by buying the team a round at the bar. Moreover, instead of sitting in a suite like most owners, she’s on the sideline with a headset, learning firsthand how her coaches operate during games.
That approach has led some to criticize Irsay-Gordon for being too hands-on, with many NFL fans believing that overly involved owners can ultimately harm a franchise. However, Colts linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. told ESPN’s Stephen Holder that her leadership has actually had a positive impact on the team.
Walker told Holder he was once asked if Irsay-Gordon micromanages the team, and he explained that she doesn’t, and that he believes she’s genuinely trying to learn about the role and improve as an NFL owner.
“Somebody asked me, is she micromanaging? I’m like, ‘No, man.’ She’s genuinely just trying to learn and educate herself on the whole complexity of being an NFL owner,” Walker said.
Losing your dad and then taking over one of the most stressful and, as Walker puts it, complex jobs in all of sports is a challenge, to say the least. However, it seems Irsay-Gordon is handling it well, and the Colts players appear to be happy to have her leading the team.
Whatever Irsay-Gordon is doing as Indianapolis’ owner this season, it’s working. Through 10 weeks, the Colts are 8-2, which is tied for the best record in the NFL. Their offense has been outstanding, ranking first in the league according to PFSN’s OFFi metric, while their defense has been solid as well, ranking 15th in the league in PFSN’s DEFi metric.
NFL owners are polarizing figures for both players and fans. Some individuals demonstrate incompetence and fail to contribute meaningfully to their teams. Still, there are some great owners, and despite her unusual style, Irsay-Gordon is quickly becoming a favorite with both her team and NFL fans.