Nov 10, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay speaks during a fan event at Chicago Meatpackers before an International Series game against the New England Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Colts’ Jim Irsay blames 2014 arrest on police prejudice

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said his 2014 arrest for driving under the influence was a result of police profiling him as a “rich, white billionaire.”

Irsay, 64, gave his view during a sit-down interview with Andrea Kremer on “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” which aired Tuesday night.

“I am prejudiced against because I’m a rich, white billionaire,” Irsay said. “If I’m just the average guy down the block, they’re not pulling me in, of course not.”

When Kremer asked Irsay how he thought his comment would be received, the latter doubled down on his stance.

“I don’t care what it sounds like,” Irsay said. “It’s the truth. … I could give a damn what people think how anything sounds or sounds like. The truth is the truth, and I know the truth.”

Irsay pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated. When asked why he pleaded guilty if he felt he was being profiled, Irsay said he wanted to put the matter to bed.

Officers from The Carmel (Ind.) Police Department said Irsay had difficulty reciting the alphabet and failed other field sobriety tests after being pulled over in March 2014.

Irsay told HBO Sports that he failed the tests because he was just coming off hip surgery.

“The arrest was wrong,” he said. “I had just had hip surgery, and had been in the car for 45 minutes. And what — they asked me to walk the line? Are you kidding me? I can barely walk at all.”

The Carmel Police Department offered the following statement to the Indianapolis Star:

“We are very sorry to hear that comment about our officers and our department,” it read. “We have a very professional agency consisting of officers that strive to protect our community with integrity and professionalism.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 15, 2022; Camden, NJ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris looks on as James Harden speaks with the media during a press conference at Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Colombian billionaire part of Josh Harris’ Commanders group

Investors from one of Colombia’s wealthiest families are part of Josh Harris’ $6 billion bid group to purchase the Washington Commanders, Sportico reported Thursday.

Alejandro Santo Domingo and his family are worth $12.2 billion, according to Bloomberg. Harris, a hedge fund manager who is majority owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and co-owner of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, is worth $7.7 billion.

Sportico reported that apartment complex magnate Mitchell Morgan of Philadelphia-based Morgan Properties is also a part of the bid group. Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, D.C.-area billionaire Mitchell Rales ($6.9 billion net worth) and investor Mark Ein previously have been reported to be a part of Harris’ group.

The sale agreement was sent to the NFL last month.

If approved, the $6 billion price tag would set an NFL record for the most expensive sale in the league’s history, topping last year’s record-setting $4.65 billion sale of the Denver Broncos to the Walton-Penner group.

The next step is for the NFL to either send the deal back to Commanders owner Daniel Snyder and Harris with alterations, or accept it as is, returning it to the parties for final changes and signatures.

Sportico reported that the NFL privately has expressed some concerns.

Any sale requires the approval of at least 24 of the league’s 32 owners.

–Field Level Media