Under the header, "The Irsay Saga: Hard Feelings,
Money, and A Team in Limbo," Dick Cady of the INDIANAPOLIS
STAR-NEWS examines the status of Colts Owner Bob Irsay, who
is recovering from a stroke suffered last year. Irsay has
"no say" in any of the things he still owns, as five
trustees, including Irsay's son, Jim, control the Colts and
most of Irsay's other $10M estate. Cady writes Irsay is
"distressed" over how his assets have been handled, how his
wife, Nancy, has been treated and talk that the Colts might
move from Indianapolis. Cady: "Clearly frustrated, he
believes he's been abandoned -- and in certain ways betrayed
-- by some of his family and some of his friends." Irsay
hopes to recover sufficiently to "fire the trustees and take
back control of the Colts. That raises the prospect of the
biggest legal battle yet in what has been a long series of
court skirmishes." Dr. Larry Davis, a psychiatrist hired by
Nancy Irsay last month to examine her husband, wrote, "Bob
told me he didn't feel sufficiently comfortable in trusting
his old circle of friends because he believes they have
changed in their views since his stroke and probable death.
He is suspicious of his son, Jimmy ... and told me that he
believes Jimmy is only out for his own best interest."
OPPOSES COLTS MOVE: Nancy Irsay says her husband "has
been troubled" by "hints or implications" the Colts could be
moved to Cleveland if the city of Indianapolis doesn't
negotiate a new, more favorable RCA Dome lease. Nancy
Irsay: "I believe if Bob can be restored, the team leaving
Indianapolis wouldn't be an issue. The issue would be
renegotiating the lease, but not moving the team." Jim
Irsay, who is Colts VP & GM, has asked the city to finance
the inheritance tax he would owe -- as much as $70M -- in
the event of his father's death. Cady notes, "Other teams
anxious to get an NFL team might be willing to help
alleviate such a tax burden if Indianapolis doesn't." Jim
Irsay, in a statement said, "I believe it is inappropriate
and disrespectful to my father to discuss these private
matters in a public way" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 11/23).
