Carlie Irsay-Gordon has taken a hands-on approach to running the Indianapolis Colts, and one of the most visible parts of that approach is her headset on the sideline during games.
Most NFL owners do not spend game day standing near the action, but Irsay-Gordon said the headset helps her understand how the team works in real time. That became especially important after she took over as principal owner and CEO of the Colts in May 2025 following the death of Jim Irsay.
Why she wears the headset
Irsay-Gordon said her interest in learning the organization goes back years. She pointed to 2012, when hiring Chuck Pagano accelerated her desire to understand more about the team and how it operated.
She said the headset gives her a better sense of whether people around the organization truly know what they are talking about. It also helps her see how small details can affect bigger football decisions, from a player running the wrong route to the wrong wide receiver being tagged on a play.
In her view, that kind of context matters because football is a complex operation. Irsay-Gordon said the headset helps her identify where the team may need tweaks, what resources are needed and what still needs to be fixed. She also said it can help avoid what she called a less expensive mistake by giving ownership a clearer picture before decisions are made.
What players and coaches see
Daniel Jones said Irsay-Gordon’s presence is a positive sign for the locker room. He called it neat and said her attention to detail and effort to understand every part of the organization set a great example for players. Jones added that seeing the owner on the sideline carries a lot of weight.
Shane Steichen offered a similar view in 2025, saying she has been involved since he arrived and is very hands on. He said she understands football, goes over both offensive and defensive details, and has been tremendous for the organization.
For the Colts, the headset is not about pretending to coach. It is about ownership wanting a clearer view of the operation. In a league where most owners stay far from the sideline, Irsay-Gordon’s style stands out because it is built around learning, asking questions and staying close to the details that shape a team.
