Members
Inductee
IRSAY, JIM
IRSAY, JIM
Born on June 13, 1959
Inducted On
June 12, 2008
Location Inducted
Indianapolis, IN
Region Number
7
Indpls Colts
Merit - Owner
Loyola Academy, Chicago
1977
Southern Methodist University 1982
1982
Earned a degree in broadcast journalism.
Professional Athletic Background: Assumed ownership of Indianapolis Colts in January 1997. His family has owned the team since 1972 when Jim was just entering his teens. He literally "grew up" with team members from the franchise, spending summers at training camp, working during high school and college and joining the team upon his college graduation. He was named Vice President and General Manager in 1984 when the team moved to Indianapolis. He served in that capacity until taking the roles of Senior Executive Vice President, General Manager, and Chief Operating Officer in April of 1996. Upon the death of his father, Robert Irsay, Jim assumed full control of the team. He is an active owner and chairs the NFL's Legislative Committee, as well as serving on the league's Finance Committee and Super Bowl Policy Committee. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Management Council and the Pro-College Relations Committee. He was also a member of the Realignment Working Group and the Working Club Executive Committee that authorized the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement in 1993. He and his family are generous contributors to many organizations throughout the state of Indiana.
Colts Accomplishments: In the decade since Jim Irsay assumed control of the Indianapolis Colts, the team has achieved one of the best records in the NFL. The Colts have made more playoff appearances since 1998 than any NFL team, and their record 105-55 is the second best in the league. In 2007, the Colts produced the 17th 10+ victory season in franchise history and the eighth under his stewardship. The team's ascent to greatness began at the end of Jim's first year as the owner/CEO when he hired Bill Polian to be president of the Colts. Less than six months later, the team used the first pick in the NFL draft to select Peyton Manning. Jim completed the winning combination when he successfully added Tony Dungy as the team's head coach in January of 2002. Under Irsay's leadership, the team won the World Championship on February 4, 2007, bringing home to Indiana the coveted Lombardi Trophy for the first time in the state's history. Beating Chicago, 29-27, in Super Bowl XLI marked the franchise's fourth World Championship, the first for the Colts in 36 years.
Colts Accomplishments: In the decade since Jim Irsay assumed control of the Indianapolis Colts, the team has achieved one of the best records in the NFL. The Colts have made more playoff appearances since 1998 than any NFL team, and their record 105-55 is the second best in the league. In 2007, the Colts produced the 17th 10+ victory season in franchise history and the eighth under his stewardship. The team's ascent to greatness began at the end of Jim's first year as the owner/CEO when he hired Bill Polian to be president of the Colts. Less than six months later, the team used the first pick in the NFL draft to select Peyton Manning. Jim completed the winning combination when he successfully added Tony Dungy as the team's head coach in January of 2002. Under Irsay's leadership, the team won the World Championship on February 4, 2007, bringing home to Indiana the coveted Lombardi Trophy for the first time in the state's history. Beating Chicago, 29-27, in Super Bowl XLI marked the franchise's fourth World Championship, the first for the Colts in 36 years.
