Dear Ms. Irsay-Gordon:
My sincere condolences to you and your sisters regarding the recent death of your father.
While l did not know him well, we did talk at length pertaining to his incredible collection of rare artifacts and his love for music.
This letter to you is one that offers suggestion and opinion, and is not a blueprint to navigate the challenges you will now be embarking upon in the National Football League and beyond.
Simply put, while you are now the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, they are also spiritually owned by so many residents of this state who have bled blue since the day the team arrived over forty years ago, to a city that was starving for professional football so badly a stadium was built before they had a team committed to play in it.
Your grandfather was savvy enough to see the opportunity in Indianapolis and left Baltimore for various reasons, and not just financial ones. As a result, this community has embraced both the franchise and your family since day one, cultivating a love affair that has seen two Super Bowl appearances, one Championship and a Hall of Fame quarterback, along with some obvious heartache and great disappointment. And yet another new stadium that still stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to football.
It would be hard to point to a more financially beneficial relationship in the NFL than the one you’ll be commandeering, and I certainly wish you well.
The reality is you have a unique opportunity to kick the door down in what’s commonly known as the “good ole boys club,” otherwise known as the current group of NFL owners who not only make policy but dictate it.
You’ve undoubtedly met some of them over the years while you worked alongside your father, but the landscape will quickly change now that you’re at the helm. Make no mistake about it: They will indeed test your abilities and your willingness to go toe to toe with them in those matters that impact the NFL and their own respective bottom lines.
Some of them are counting on you to be easily influenced and falter along the way, and it may be difficult to separate the ones who look to befriend you from the ones who are simply wolves.
Bottom line, the road will get rocky and you must use your smarts and business acumen in a manner that says you are always a force to be reckoned with, one that will command the respect that both you and your family established as a long time experienced ownership group.
As you know, you have one of the greatest resources in the world in Chief Operating Officer Pete Ward at your side. Lean on him, learn from him, and utilize his vast knowledge the way your father did. He’s arguably the best colleague and friend an owner could have, and he’s respected tremendously throughout the entire league. His loyalty to the Indianapolis Colts is indeed well documented, and he’s without question a brilliant executive.
Allow those with football knowledge to have a voice in the room but do not hesitate to demand the results you’re paying them to produce,and above all, do not allow anyone in the Colts organization including the players, to embarrass you or the franchise that you now control.
You’re an articulate, intelligent lady who they cannot intimidate.
Set your mark and don’t hesitate to enforce it. There’s a lot of people counting on you, and l know you won’t disappoint them.
Again, good luck, Ms. Irsay-Gordon, as it’s your time to lead. Embrace the moment and savor it greatly.
Danny Bridges, who thinks Carlie Irsay-Gordon won’t tolerate any futility, can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com
Danny Bridges is an award-winning journalist and a longtime sports columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder. He covers college, professional sports and especially all things IndyCar racing. He can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
Three things to build the foundation and help us get back to some of the glory years of the past in Indianapolis…
1 Find a championship level. G. M. Such as your dad did with Bill in Polian.
2 find a championship level head coach. Such is your dad did with Tony Dungy
3 and last but not least find a championship level quarterback, build the team on that foundation, and then let’s go baby.
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