Jim Irsay



Jim Irsay (also known as Jimmy Irsay) graduated from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX in 1982 and is the owner of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He went to high school at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb just north of Chicago.

Jim Irsay was 12 years old when his father Robert Irsay purchased the Baltimore Colts. After graduating from SMU, he began working for the Colts in 1982. He started by working at the ticket counter and then later in the team's public relations department. Jim was named general manager in 1984 one month after the Colts moved to Indianapolis. After his father suffered a stroke in 1995, Jim assumed day-to-day management of the team. When his father died in 1997, Jim had a legal battle with his stepmother but later became the youngest NFL team owner in history (37 and controlling 100% of the team). Jim also has a habit of quoting rock music. It is rumored that he brings his guitar on Colts road trips and will play until the 2 or 3 in the morning. In 2001, Jim Irsay purchased the original manuscript of On The Road, or "the roll," a scroll typed in a three week marathon by Jack Kerouac for $2.43 million. Jim also acquired an original guitar owned by Elvis Presley.