“Generous to the End”: Late Colts Owner Jim Irsay Leaves Significant Bonuses for Loyal Staff (Report)

Jim Irsay is remembered as one of the NFL’s most passionate and generous franchise owners. He owned the Indianapolis Colts from 1997 until his death in 2025, after inheriting it from his father Robert Irsay.

 

Under his leadership, they became one of the most successful franchises in NFL history and saw a golden period in their history. Irsay was not just a businessman leading a franchise, as he also had a heart of gold for his employees.

Jim Irsay’s final act of generosity before his death

A viral post by MLFootball has revealed that Irsay had one last act of generosity after his death. He had arranged generous financial bonuses for numerous employees at the Colts before his death which would be executed after he passed away. Everyone from the front office personnel, trainers, equipment managers, and longtime employees whom he worked with, would receive these bonuses.

Oct 1, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay on the main stage during NFL on Regent Street prior to the International Series game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

According to Colts Insider Joel A. Erickson, “One thing I heard at Lucas Oil today: Jim Irsay left instructions, upon his passing, to leave a generous amount for many members of the Colts’ staff, a thank you to those who worked for him.”

This last act of gratitude shows his dedication not just to the Colts, but to the people he worked with. He considered them his own extended family, and made sure that they will be taken care of long after he is dead. Even when he was alive, Irsay used to take care of his staff properly.

 

He arranged flights and transportation to Colts games at his expense, used to often hand out $100 bills at training camp, and gifted Super Bowl tickets in trivia contests. Every team employee got a $100 bill and a birthday card from him on their birthdays. His Kicking the Stigma campaign raised millions of dollars to help those suffering from mental health issues. Aside from his employees, his players also loved him.