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The Indianapolis Colts might not be as successful if not for Jim Irsay and his family. Irsay has been associated with the Colts for most of his life. His relationship with the franchise started when his dad, Robert Irsay, purchased the then-Baltimore Colts after initially purchasing the Los Angeles Rams.
Jim Irsay has a lot of money, and the Colts' number one citizen was born into wealth. His father built a fortune estimated to be over $150 million through successful heating and air-conditioning companies in the mid-twentieth century. Jim Irsay has done a lot of work to build on his generational wealth and leave an even bigger legacy for his offspring.
As such, Irsay has an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion. He has built his network by carrying on with his father's business, the growth in value of the Indianapolis Colts, and his memorabilia collection.
Jim Irsay and the Indianapolis Colts
Even though he was twelve, his dad involved him in franchise activities. When Irsay graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1982 with a degree in broadcast journalism, the Colts immediately employed him on their staff. He put in the work and in 1984 was promoted to Vice President and General Manager after the Colts relocated from Baltimore to Indianapolis.
Irsay assumed the position as the Colts owner in 1997 when his dad sadly passed away. It is a role he has held ever since and he immediately began the process of revamping the franchise. The first few years weren't successful by any stretch of the imagination, but that would soon change.
With hall-of-fame caliber players like Edgerrin James and Peyton Manning, the Colts kept going until they hoisted the Lombardi trophy in February 2007. Since then, Indianapolis have been on an up-and-down trajectory, no thanks to a lack of stability under center. However, if there's an owner that can get them firing again, it's likely to be Irsay.
With the team making strides in recent years, they are certainly moving in the right direction. Although they have not played as well as expected this season, they have a great shot at the playoffs and taking it from there. With Jonathan Taylor at running back and Matt Ryan under center, when they really get going the Colts will be hard to stop.
