He was 65 years old
NFL team owners died surprisingly
05/22/2025 – 07:17 a.m.Reading time: 1 min.
The American football league NFL mourns the loss of one of its prominent faces. Colts owner Jim Irsay died.
The Indianapolis Colts have lost a formative figure in their club history. As the team and the NFL announced, owner Jim Irsay died in her sleep at the age of 65.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressed his sympathy for relatives. “In the name of the whole NFL, I speak Jim’s daughters, their families and all his many friends in the NFL my warm condolences,” said Goodell in an official statement.
Irsay had taken over the club in 1997 at the age of 37 – after the death of his father. Under his leadership, the Colts in 2007 achieved the first Super Bowl victory in the club’s history.
In contrast to many other team owners in the NFL, Irsay was very present in public. He spoke openly about his personal challenges with alcohol and medication – and was committed to clarifying mental health.
According to the American media, the team is likely to remain family-owned. His daughters, who are already working in leadership positions at the Colts, could take on his role.
On November 9, the team will meet the Atlanta Falcons as part of the NFL International Games in Berlin.