Irsay-Gordon said the Colts created a values committee to help align the team’s missionRICK OSTENTOSKI
Colts co-Owner & Vice Chair Carlie Irsay-Gordon yesterday opened up on a variety of topics, from being a woman in the male-dominated NFL to attending owners meetings back in the day with the likes of Lamar Hunt, Bud Adams and Al Davis. Irsay-Gordon is among the few females to have such a high-ranking position in the NFL, but speaking on Day 1 of the '18 AXS Sports Facilities & Franchises conference, Irsay-Gordon said for her, it was “not the issue of being female.” “My cross to bear, with having this inheritance in my family, for me it’s been more about proving that, hey, ‘I can work as hard as anyone else,” she said. Irsay-Gordon noted the hardest part with diversity in leadership is “getting the right leaders in place, that understand that ... the world is changing, it’s more global and more connected.” Irsay-Gordon: “I have three girls, so I have to create an environment where I would say, come work here. ... Having females on your team is essential. ... (Female NFL fans) are our best influencers. Go on Facebook and see the way they talk and share things. It’s powerful.”
WORKING ON CULTURE: Irsay-Gordon noted that when the Colts moved from Baltimore in ’84, there were 34 people on the team staff, including coaches. Now, with more than 200 employees on staff, not including coaches or players, she felt the need to make clear the franchise’s direction to others. “My dad (Jim Irsay) would say, ‘You know, people know what we stand for,’” Irsay-Gordon said. “But to really show what your mission is, what your values are, you have to say this is what we want to do and this is where we want to go.” She said the Colts created a values committee to help align the team’s mission. The Colts subsequently created a mission statement and seven values they are committed to keeping. Irsay-Gordon: “People need to know what they’re buying into. When you’ve got that many people, you need to really articulate.” She said the Colts held their first companywide meeting “about two weeks ago.”
UPDATE ON UPGRADES: Irsay-Gordon gave an update on the team’s renovation to the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center -- its HQ located about 10 miles from downtown Indianapolis. The project includes a new training/treatment/rehab area, adding about 2,500 square feet of space. There also is an expanded weight room, new hydrotherapy room, expanded equipment room and renovated football operations office space. Irsay-Gordon said the team’s new ticket office is complete, while upgrades to the football side should be finished before the season.
THE WILD WEST: Irsay-Gordon said she remembers attending owners meetings in her earlier years with her father and seeing the likes of Hunt, Adams and Davis. “The owners back then, it was much less corporate,” she said, comparing it “a little bit” to the Wild West.
QUICK HITS:
* "If you’re going to be a leader, you can’t just sit up in a suite” -- On her gameday activities, being on the ground and interacting with fans and sponsors.
* “If the process is sound, you can live with the results” -- On a sound business plan.
