This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed.
AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 1h ago
Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon called 'daddy’s little girl' in fiery Jerry Jones comparison
Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon called 'daddy’s little girl' in fiery Jerry Jones comparison originally appeared on The Sporting News .
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon is one of the most prominent ones in the NFL. She inherited the franchise alongside her siblings from her late father Jim Irsay. While it is shared by his children, Irsay-Gordonis the principal owner as well as the CEO of the Colts, and plays an important part in their strategy.
This makes her quite unique, as most franchises have male owners and CEOs. However, one person is attacking her.
Jason Whitlock attacks Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon
Irsay-Gordon assumed full control of the franchise in May 2025 after the death of her father. She is known for routinely wearing a coach’s headset, without speaking into it, and has been seen taking notes between plays. This has drawn the attention of the media and fans for some time.
Prominent sports columnist Jason Whitlock recently criticized Irsay-Gordon for her visible presence on the team’s sideline during the 2026 preseason. He did it on his Fearless podcast, which has since gone viral. He argued that her presence on the sideline is meaningless and without any presence.
He said , “A year ago, the New York Times anointed her the NFL's atypical owner, which is press speak for heiress. She stands on the sideline in a coach's headset, she does not speak into. She scribbles notes between plays. Carlie inherited the same throne, she has not inherited the luck as of yet.”
Whitlock added, “Until she does, and if she ever does, take a seat in a suite and get off the sideline, say as little as possible. When, if you land your Peyton Manning, then fine, throw yourself into the lights; until then, sit down.” That was not the end of his complaints, as he also compared her to someone else.
Jason Whitlock compares Carlie Irsay-Gordon to Jerry Jones
Whitlock also compared Irsay-Gordon’s antics on the sideline as an attempt to copy Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. He said, “A woman cosplaying coach for the cameras, daddy's little girl playing Jerry Jones. So here is my plea … Carlie, get off the sideline and to the media, quit shoving daddy's little girls down our throats. Inherited money is not girl power. It is not empowerment. It's nepotism and a headset.”
All of this criticism comes as the Colts had a poor 2025 regular season which ended in an 8-9 record. Many feel that Irsay-Gordon’s role is not on the sideline to dictate plays, but rather to work in the front office, with many saying that she has not been satisfactory in that department. Others have also felt that she inherited the spot rather than working for it.
It remains to be seen whether Carlie Irsay-Gordon can live up to her father’s reputation, with a crucial season coming up.
More NFL news:
Brian Schottenheimer accused of breaking the first rule of 'Fight Club' after Cowboys-Saints brawl
Texans land emergency QB to back up C.J. Stroud after season-ending injury
Kay Adams turns heads with viral pose at final day of Cowboys training camp
Eagles' 53-man roster projection reveals surprise names after Ravens loss
Cowboys legend gets wife's green light for 'last year' after winning Super Bowl
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.
