Irsay-Gordon on Colts' ownership: 'We take it very seriously' - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — Carlie Irsay-Gordon opened the new era of Indianapolis Colts ownership with a timely joke on Tuesday, quipping that she and her sisters considered showing up 30 minutes late to meet with reporters in honor of their late father, Jim Irsay, who famously moved to the beat of his own drum.

But it didn't take long to become apparent that, for Irsay's three daughters — who assumed control of the Colts this week following their father's death last month — their stewardship of the team is no laughing matter.

«This is our business and we take it very seriously,» Irsay-Gordon, the team's CEO and principal owner, said during a 30-minute joint news conference with her sisters. «As we discussed, we know we have some things to fix. But I think we're just doubling down and we're going to work tirelessly to make sure we continue the legacy.»

When asked specifically about general manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen, whose fates Jim Irsay carefully considered before retaining the pair in January, Irsay-Gordon sent a clear message.

«Chris and Shane know that they have things they need to fix,» she said. «We talked about not micromanaging people but, also, we have a standard here and it hasn't been good enough. Winning is great. But I would even take it a step further and saying we're really committed to being the best and if we're the best, we will win games. And I think Chris and Shane are totally capable of doing that and we're confident that they can.»

The Colts missed the playoffs last season for the fourth straight season and haven't won the AFC South since 2014 — the only team in the division to have not won the division in that time frame.

Irsay-Gordon said she wasn't prepared to say whether the futures of