INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts have announced officially what has long been expected.Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson have assumed leadership of the franchise in the wake of their father Jim’s death late last month, taking over roles they’ve long prepared to handle. Irsay-Gordon, the oldest daughter of the late Jim Irsay, will serve as the team’s principal owner, taking over her father’s title as owner and CEO. Foyt becomes owner and executive vice president, and Kalen Jackson becomes owner and chief brand officer, as well as president of the Indianapolis Colts Foundation.
“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,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said.
Irsay-Gordon, 44, has been preparing to take over the football side for years. She began her career by interning in several departments while attending Skidmore College, has attended NFL owner’s meetings since 2004 and took over as the team’s principal owner during her father’s suspension in 2014.
For years, she has been heavily involved on the football side to learn the game — wearing headsets on the sideline during games, attending almost every practice and participating in meetings.
“When you talk football with her, she gets it,” Steichen said. “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.”
Irsay-Gordon is also already actively involved at the NFL level, serving on the league’s Media Owned & Operated Committee, the 32 Equity Committee, the Security & Fan Conduct Committee and the league’s strategic capital fund, as well as on the board of the NFL Player Care Foundation.
Foyt, who was focused on marketing and community relations, also helped the NFL hold the first regular-season game in London.
Jackson has been the driving force for the Kicking the Stigma initiative, and she’s also a member of the boards of Project Healthy Mind, the United Way of Central Indiana while serving as the president of the Indianapolis Colts Women’s Organization. She also chairs the league’s Employee Benefits Committee.
Both Irsay-Gordon and Jackson have been a daily presence for the team for years, forging the same kind of relationships that defined their father’s tenure as owner.
“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,” wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. said. “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.”
Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson have assumed leadership of the franchise in the wake of their father’s death late last month, taking over roles they’ve long prepared to handle.
Irsay-Gordon, the oldest daughter of the late Jim Irsay, will serve as the team’s principal owner, taking over her father’s title as owner and CEO.
Foyt becomes owner and executive vice president, and Kalen Jackson becomes owner and chief brand officer, as well as president of the Indianapolis Colts Foundation.
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