Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has a lot of money, but his collection isn’t about ownership or ego. It’s an ancient treasure trove that tells the story of football at its most powerful and earliest point
The “jim irsay net worth” is a question that has been asked for years. Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, does not own his team to show off his ego or because he wants to have control over it. Instead, he owns it because he believes in its success and wants to see it succeed.
When it comes to professional sports owners, there are typically two factions. Some, like Stan Kroenke, shun the limelight at all costs; others, like the late George Steinbrenner, make themselves the focus of attention. While Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, may not be on the same level as ‘The Boss,’ he isn’t afraid to throw his weight about and do things his way.
Take the Jim Irsay Collection, for example. While collecting several bits of history, from Muhammad Ali’s robe to John Lennon’s spectacles, may seem to be a typical ‘rich guy’ pastime, the Colts owner isn’t following the script. He’s not keeping the antiques in a miserly effort to own them; instead, he’s sharing them with the rest of the world.
Jim Irsay is most known in the NFL for owning the Indianapolis Colts.
*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden} html,bodyheight:100% img,spanposition:absolute;width:100% ;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyhe spanheight:1.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow
While owners aren’t held to the same standards as quarterbacks or head coaches, they do face some pressure. Although things haven’t always been sunny in Indianapolis, the Colts have performed well under Irsay’s leadership.
The current owner “grew up with the Colts, living with the team during summer camp and riding on the team bus,” according to Forbes, and “worked in everything from ticket sales to public relations until being appointed GM in 1984.” Irsay inherited the team from his father when he died in 1997.
During Irsay’s tenure as general manager, the team struggled at times, but things improved in the 1990s. The Colts have emerged as the AFC’s class, thanks to players like Edgerrin James and Peyton Manning. They won two AFC Championships and the Lombardi Trophy in February 2007.
Although there have been some more recent stumbling blocks — as The Score noted in a 2020 assessment of NFL owners, the team has suffered without Manning or Luck at the helm – Irsay’s overall record remains above water. The Indianapolis Colts have a 295-265 record dating back to 1984.
Regardless of how you assess that record, though, the owner probably isn’t too concerned; he’s going to do things his own way. Listening to any of his quotes or checking out his Twitter feed will confirm that.
Irsay, on the other hand, is unconcerned with personal ownership when it comes to his collection.
“Mo Speeed” is written on the inner of Muhammad Ali’s boots from “Thrilla in Manila.”
Owned by @JimIrsay and being shown as part of his collection that is touring around the country. pic.twitter.com/kPYvKDWWcy
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 2, 2022
Irsay’s net worth is estimated to be about $3.5 billion, according to Forbes. While this would enable him to stock up on toys, the Colts owner has taken a different approach.
To be clear, Irsay has amassed a sizable collection of things covering a wide range of recent history. Muhammad Ali’s robe and shoes are in his possession. Objects associated with George Washington, John F. Kennedy, and other great leaders may be found. Kurt Cobain’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” guitar, which cost $4.5 million, is one of the more recent acquisitions to the collection, according to Forbes.
As I indicated earlier in this article, it’s simple to image a billionaire purchasing such items and displaying them in his or her house. You can just see an NFL owner retiring to his office, surrounded by football helmets, legendary guitars, and other memorabilia. But it isn’t Irsay’s goal.
“To me, it’s about the spiritual journey and learning from our past, as well as simply providing pleasure,” he said during a news conference in New York City on June 2. “I think that by being real and going out into the world and offering unconditional love, we can change the world.”
*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden} html,bodyheight:100% img,spanposition:absolute;width:100% ;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyhe spanheight:1.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow
So, how does Irsay go about doing that? He’s transformed his collection into a traveling exhibition that he’s touring around the United States. In 2021, it made stops in Nashville, Washington, D.C., and Austin. The first destination in 2022 was Los Angeles, followed by New York, Indianapolis, and Chicago.
“It’s always been about presenting it to the world, really.” I mean, I’m not sure how to express what’s going on deep inside my soul and spirit, but I assure you that I don’t own these things. As I previously said, you never see a hearse towing a U-Haul. Irsay explained, “I borrow them.” “As a result, it’s always been a pleasure for me to share.” Knowing that I possess something does not make me feel good. When I say, “Hey, I own this theater,” they respond, “Yeah, and we’re all in it.” But, for example, how can you experience ownership? You know, I’ve always done things that made me feel good. That’s exactly how I’ve been all my life. And what makes me feel is when folks, you know, have tears streaming down their faces because they see the 1939 manuscript of The [Alcoholics Anonymous] Big Book or Kerouac’s scroll or something. That, in my opinion, is what it’s all about. “Really, this is a service job.”
The juxtaposition is shocking once again. The term “owner” defines Irsay, at least in sporting circles. But, in the context of his collection, he emphasizes that it’s not about owning a single historical artifact. However, everything makes sense in a roundabout manner.
A historical collection and a professional sports club may seem to be unconnected from afar. Things seem to be more interrelated when seen through the prism of emotion. I’m sure a lot of fans were crying when the Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl for the first time in more than 30 years.
That feeling, as Irsay indicated, is what makes it so universal and relatable.
On Friday, June 3, the Jim Irsay Collection will be on exhibit at the Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center.
RELATED: Ranking the Indianapolis Colts’ 5 Best Offseason Moves So Far
The “colts owner drugs” is a recent headline that has been making the rounds. The owner of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay, was arrested on Sunday for possession of oxycodone and hydrocodone. This arrest came after he had already been released from rehab.
Related Tags
- jim irsay guitar collection
- jim irsay daughters
- how did jim irsay get rich
- meg irsay
- jim irsay age