Robert Irsay
| Robert Irsay | |
|---|---|
| Born |
March 5, 1923 Chicago |
| Died | January 14, 1997 (aged 73) Indianapolis |
| Nationality | United States |
| Known for | owner of the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet Pogorzelski (1946–1988; divorced) Nancy Clifford (1989–1997; his death) |
| Children |
with Pogorzelski: --Thomas Irsay (deceased) --Roberta Irsay (deceased) --Jim Irsay |
| Parent(s) | Elaine Nyitrai Carl Irsay |
Robert Irsay (March 5, 1923 – January 14, 1997) was an American professional football team owner. He owned the National Football League's Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts franchise from 1972 until his death in 1997, and the Los Angeles Rams briefly in 1972.
Irsay was born on March 5, 1923 in Chicago, the son of Charles Irsay (born Charles Israel) and Elaine Nyitrai, Jewish immigrants from Hungary. In 1942 he joined the United States Marine Corps. In 1946 he was hired by his father's heating and ventilation business. In 1951 Irsay founded his own business, the Robert Irsay Co., and sold the business to Zurn Industries about a year before purchasing the Colts in 1972.
Irsay assumed ownership of the Baltimore Colts on July 13, 1972 after acquiring the Los Angeles Rams from the estate of Dan Reeves and swapping franchises with Carroll Rosenbloom, all made official on the same day. His last-minute US $19 million bid for the Rams was $2 million more than that of Hugh Culverhouse. Irsay's majority share in the Colts was initially 51%, with Willard Keland of Racine, Wisconsin owning the rest. He additionally announced the appointment of Joe Thomas as Baltimore's new general manager, succeeding Don Klosterman who accompanied Rosenbloom to Los Angeles.
In a controversial decision Irsay moved the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis, in the early morning hours of March 28, 1984, to become the Indianapolis Colts. Many fans of the Baltimore Colts continue to harbor resentment at Irsay, for perceived theft of the Colts and associated memorabilia, despite Baltimore gaining a new franchise, the Baltimore Ravens, by way of Art Modell and the Cleveland Browns, many years later.
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