Who's Really in Charge? The Colts' New Ownership Structure Explained

The Indianapolis Colts have a new ownership setup. Three sisters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson, are now the owners. However, it is not as simple as it sounds. NFL rules state that there must be one person in charge. This person has the final say in all decisions. So, even though all three sisters are owners, Carlie Irsay-Gordon is the one who calls the shots. She is the principal owner. This means she has the ultimate authority to make decisions for the team. This setup is not unique to the Colts. Every NFL team has one principal owner. This rule was made clearer after the passing of Bud Adams, the founder of the Oilers/Titans. His family divided the team's ownership among three branches. This led to a long dispute with the league. Eventually, Amy Adams Strunk became the principal owner. The league now requires all teams to have a succession plan. This plan names one person in charge if the current principal owner dies or becomes unable to lead. There are a few more details to consider. First, estate taxes can be a big issue. Many teams have been sold because of these taxes. The Colts will need to handle this properly to keep the team in the family. Second, any of the sisters could sell their part of the team. However, Carlie Irsay-Gordon has the most valuable share. She has control over the franchise. Even if her sisters sell their shares, she would still be in charge. The Colts' new ownership structure is unusual. It has three owners, but only one can make the final decisions. This is the same for all NFL teams. One person must be in charge. For now, there is no sign of trouble. The sisters seem ready to run the franchise together. However, it is important to remember that one person must always have the final say.