Jim Irsay

James Irsay (born June 13, 1959 in Lincolnwood, Illinois) is the owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.

Biography

Irsay is the son of Chicago businessman Robert Irsay and Harriet Irsay. His brother Thomas was born with a mental disability and his sister, Roberta, died in a car accident in 1971. Irsay attended high school at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb just north of Chicago, Illinois. After high school he attended and graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1982 with a degree in broadcast journalism.^[2] Irsay played linebacker for the SMU Mustangs football as a walk-on but an ankle injury ended his playing career.

Jim Irsay was 12 years old when his father Robert Irsay purchased the Baltimore Colts. After graduating in 1982 he joined the Colts' professional staff. He was named Vice President and General Manager in 1984, one month after the Colts made their controversial move to Indianapolis. After his father suffered a stroke in 1995, Jim assumed day-to-day management with the role of Senior Executive Vice President, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer in April 1996. When his father died in 1997, Jim had a legal battle with his stepmother but later became the youngest NFL team owner at that time. He was 37. He controls 100% of the franchise.

Personal life

Irsay married Meg Coyle in 1980. The couple have three daughters, Carlie , Casey and Kalen.^[2]

Irsay has a habit of quoting rock music. It is rumored that he brings his guitar on Colts road trips and will play until 2 or 3 in the morning.^[2] In 2001, Irsay purchased the original manuscript of On The Road, or "the scroll": a continuous, one hundred twenty-foot scroll of tracing paper sheets that Jack Kerouac cut to size and taped together, for $2.43 million.^[2] Irsay is a big fan of British rock band The Who. Irsay has also acquired guitars originally owned by Elvis Presley, George Harrison, and Jerry Garcia. Even though he has liberal interests he still allowed President George Bush, on the sidelines at a Colts game in 2007.

References

1. ^ "The World's Billionaires: #721 James Irsay". Forbes. March 3, 2010. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_James-Irsay_BYI3.html. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Jon, Anderson. "JIM IRSAY". http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/colts5/irsay.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 

• The Colts' Jewish roots
• http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/people/i/irsay_jim/index.html
• http://www.ontheroad.org/