Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay Passes Away at Age 65 The Indianapolis Colts announced that owner Jim Irsay died Wednesday afternoon at age 65, “peacefully in his sleep.” Irsay was around the Colts for nearly his entire life, spending 53 years with the team. His father, Robert Irsay, acquired the Colts in 1972. Irsay became the Colts general manager in 1984, when the Colts loaded up the Mayflower Trucks in Baltimore and arrived in Indianapolis in the middle of the night. They played their first game in Indianapolis on Sept. 2, 1984, in the Hoosier Dome, later known as the RCA Dome. Irsay became the sole owner of the Colts in 1997. Today, his net worth is $4.8 billion, according to Forbes. In December 2004, he joined Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson at the RCA Dome to announce the construction of a new stadium. Lucas Oil Stadium opened in August 2008.
In his time as the owner of the Colts, the team won 10 division titles, made it to the Super Bowl twice, and won Super Bowl XLI in 2007. Under his leadership, the Colts had Hall of Fame careers from Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James, Dwight Freeney, and more. Irsay’s legacy spans off the football field as well, focusing on philanthropy. He and his family launched Kicking the Stigma, which focuses on mental health and raising awareness around the stigma that frequently comes with mental health disorders. He supported Riley Hospital for Children, donating money to help their mental health services.
Irsay hosted the Chuckstrong Tailgate Gala with former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, which has raised more than $16 million for cancer research. Irsay also donated $1 million on stage at Farm Aid in 2023 and participated in many more philanthropic efforts. Irsay was a lover of rock music, collecting instruments from some of the most famous artists, like Bob Dylan, The Beatles, James Brown, and more in The Jim Irsay Collection. The Jim Irsay Collection also spans outside of music, containing Jack Kerouac’s original “On The Road” manuscript. The collection has become a “traveling museum,” which has had free exhibitions across the country. He also loaned items in his collection to museums and nonprofits.
His love of music also motivated him to create The Jim Irsay Band, which was comprised of some of music’s greatest artists. Irsay had been dealing with health issues. In December 2023, a 911 call was made to Irsay’s home in Carmel. Irsay was found breathing but unresponsive. He was later diagnosed with a respiratory illness. At Colts training camp in 2024, he told reporters he was rehabbing from two surgeries. “It’s great to see you guys, the fans and to be out here,” he said at the time. “I’m feeling great, you know, just trying to get this left leg stronger, which it will be.” He is survived by his three daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson, who are co-owners of the team.
Colts Chief Operating Officer Pete Ward released the following statement Wednesday night regarding Irsay’s death: “We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon. Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed. Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.
Some of Jim’s fondest memories came from his youth working training camps in Baltimore and growing relationships with players, coaches, and staff whom he considered his extended family. He worked in every department before he was named the youngest general manager in team history in 1984 when the Colts arrived in Indianapolis. After he took sole ownership in 1997, he led the Colts to a long series of division titles and brought the city its first Super Bowl Championship. Jim’s love and appreciation for the NFL in addition to its history, tradition, and principles influenced him to become a steward of the game throughout his 50-plus years in the League.
Jim’s generosity can be felt all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the country. He made philanthropy a daily endeavor. He never hesitated to help countless organizations and individuals live better lives. Music was one of Jim’s passions and the ability to share his band and collection with millions of people across the world brought him tremendous joy. Simply put, he wanted to make the world a better place and that philosophy never wavered. Jim will be deeply missed by his family, the Colts organization, and fans everywhere, but we remain inspired by his caring and unique spirit.”
The Indiana Pacers Come Back to beat the New York Knicks in Overtime The Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, 138-135, in overtime. The Pacers went on a furious comeback late in regulation, coming back from down 14 with less than three minutes remaining. Tyrese Haliburton hit a deep two-pointer as time expired to send the game to overtime. His foot was on the three-point line. Then, the Pacers outscored the Knicks 13-10 in overtime. Haliburton did the famous Reggie Miller choke sign celebration after sending the game to overtime. But, in hindsight, he admitted it was too soon, with the game still going to overtime. “In the moment, I mean, I wasn’t like plotting on it or anything,” Haliburton said. “Everybody wanted me to do it last year at some different point, but it’s just got to feel right. And it felt right at the time, if it would’ve been, if I would’ve known it was a two, I would not have done it. So, I think I might’ve wasted it. If I do it again, people might say I’m aura farming, so I don’t plan on using it again.”
“It’s always the same,” Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith said. “It’s always special. It’s always fun. This is what we live for. This is what we work every day for. Work so hard for is to perform and to show up in these moments, and we just continue to do it time and time again.” “It’s a muscle, the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets, and it’s not easy,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “Don’t take anything like this for granted. This is very difficult to do, but it’s a 48-minute game, and we always say, Pacer basketball is 48 minutes. And tonight, it was 53 minutes.” “Being battle tested,” Pacer’s center Myles Turner said. “Being in those situations. i think, if there’s anybody on this team that can make that shot, you know, I got a lot of confidence in Tyrese to do so, and he’s delivered again, and again, and again. I think that he’s on a mission right now. We all are.” Game 2 is scheduled for this evening at 8 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.
Team Penske Announces Massive Changes after Indianapolis 500 Qualifying Rules Violations Team Penske IndyCar President Tim Cindric has announced his departure from the team. This comes just days after two Penske drivers, Will Power and Josef Newgarden, were found to have modified attenuators in violation of IndyCar rules. The two drivers were fined $100,000 and moved to 32nd and 33rd starting positions in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. General Managing Director Ron Ruzewski and General Manager Kyle Moyer have also left the team. Team Penske released a full statement on social media Wednesday morning. “Nothing is more important than the integrity of our sport and our race teams,” Roger Penske wrote in a statement. “We have had organizational failures during the last two years, and we had to make necessary changes. I apologize to our fans, our partners and our organization for letting them down.” Roger Penske also owns Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Cindric was president of all of Team Penske until February, when he stepped down from the role after 25 years. He was suspended in 2024 following another cheating scandal. In late April, IndyCar officials disqualified Newgarden and Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin after finding they used manipulated push-to-pass software systems so they could be used on starts and restarts. Cindric, Ruzewski, and two other Penske officials were suspended. Cindric’s position until Wednesday morning was Team Penske IndyCar president.
The Trosclair brothers heard the news during their nearly 900-mile drive to Indianapolis Motor Speedway from Louisiana. Ryan Trosclair said, “I’m not really surprised. Penske seems to run a first-rate organization. The little bit I know from a fan, so you would think he would want his employees representing his corporation in the same manner. I think they got what they deserved.” Race fan Reed Daniels of Idaho sees it a little differently. “I was really surprised. Those guys have been with him a long time. Roger’s not one, I don’t think, that makes snap decisions, but, on the other hand, you got to keep the sponsors happy and who wants to be a sponsor on a team that maybe maybe didn’t cheat, maybe did cheat.”
Race fan Bob Mussche said it’s a matter of optics. “I was really surprised that he fired Cindric, but, you know, Penske is the owner of this place now. He’s got an image to keep here. He can’t be caught cheatin’ doing stuff like that.” At a news conference on Wednesday, IMS President Doug Boles said the modified attenuators on the cars of Newgarden and Power did not make them faster. They broke the rules because those parts are there for safety reasons during rear-end crashes. Fans said they are turning their focus to race day. “I don’t think it’ll faze race day much,” Mussche said. Penske said the team will have further announcements related to Indianapolis 500 replacements sometime soon.
Taylor Minnick Named First Team All-American by Softball America Indiana senior Taylor Minnick was named a First Team All-American by Softball America on Tuesday. Minnick earned the outstanding honor after her historic senior season with the Hoosiers. She hit .484 at the plate with 76 hits, 26 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs and 71 RBI. She also charted a 1.019 slugging percentage and .592 on-base percentage. By her play, Minnick helped lead Indiana to three-straight NCAA Tournaments for the first time in program history. This is Minnick’s second All-American honor of her career, also landing on the NFCA’s Third Team All-American list in 2023. In addition to this year’s All-America nod, she was named First Team All-Big Ten and NFCA All-Region First Team for the Great Lakes region.
Minnick broke a slew of program records in her senior campaign.
Career RBI: 204
Season batting average: .484
Career batting average: .390
Season doubles: 26
Career doubles: 61
Career home runs: 45
Season Slugging Percentage: 1.019
Season RBI: 71
Indiana University Rower Grace Langridge Lands on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team Indiana rowing’s Grace Langridge earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, the conference office announced on Wednesday. Langridge is one of four Hoosiers to earn Big Ten postseason awards. Senior Annabel Oertel and sophomore Lilly Murphy were first-team All-Big Ten honorees and sophomore Nico Daly earned second-team laurels Sunday following the conclusion of the 2025 Big Ten Rowing Championships, where the Hoosiers placed fourth as a team. Langridge is a season-long member of Indiana’s Second Varsity Eight crew which finished fourth at the conference regatta, helping the program earn its third consecutive NCAA Championships bid. Langridge and the Hoosiers will compete at the national regatta May 30-June 1 in West Windsor, New Jersey.
Former Indiana University Men’s Basketball Player Race Thompson to Play for the Assembly Ball TBT Squad Assembly Ball, the Indiana alumni team hosting The Basketball Tournament’s (TBT) regional alongside All Good Dawgs (Butler Alumni) at the Hinkle Fieldhouse from July 19-22, today announced the roster addition of Indiana alumnus Race Thompson. Thompson returns after playing with the team in 2024 and joins Yogi Ferrell, James Blackmon Jr., and Troy Williams as the first four roster commitments for the 2025 Assembly Ball squad. Additional players will be announced in the coming weeks. Thompson spent five seasons at Indiana (2018-23), playing in 130 career games for the Hoosiers and captaining the team for three years. Thompson helped lead the Hoosiers to two NCAA Tournaments. Thompson established himself as a starter as a junior, averaging 9.5 points 6.3 rebounds per game in his final three seasons at Indiana.
After graduating from Indiana, Thompson signed with the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League. He averaged 7.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in the 2024-25 season. The winner of the Indianapolis Regional will advance to TBT’s quarterfinals on July 28. The semifinals will be held on July 31, and TBT’s $1 million championship will be played on Aug. 3. For the first time, TBT will give each host team the opportunity to have home court advantage for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the $1 million championship game. Should two regional hosts face off, the tie breaker will be determined by which host sells 4,000 tickets the fastest. Tickets are on sale now at tbthoops.com/tickets. For more information on this year’s TBT or Assembly Ball, visit tbthoops.com.