ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder noted Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon and her sisters discussed the “prospect of opening their franchise to private-equity investment.” However, the sisters “intend to retain full ownership” of the team. Irsay-Gordon said, “We certainly looked at [private equity]. We don’t have any intention of doing it now.” She “did not rule out the idea in future years, specifically as it relates to anticipated upgrades to Lucas Oil Stadium.” The building will “need many millions of dollars in upgrades in the years to come.” Irsay-Gordon is “already bracing for expensive renovations” to the nearly 20-year-old stadium (ESPN.com, 3/30).
TESTING ELEMENT: Seahawks GM John Schneider reiterated that the high-earners income tax law in Washington “could make life more difficult for the state’s professional sports teams.” Schneider said it is “going to affect us.” In Seattle, Bob Condotta noted the law, sometimes called the “millionaires tax,” would enact a 9.9% levy on earnings of more than $1M starting in 2028 with the first payments due in 2029. The Seahawks have been one of eight NFL teams playing in states without an income tax (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/30).
NEW TERRITORY: In New Orleans, Rashad Milligan noted the Saints and Browns have been “granted international marketing rights in Italy,” the latest addition to the NFL’s Global Markets Program. This is the Saints’ second territory within the initiative, joining France (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 3/30). In Akron, George Thomas noted Italy is part of the program for the first time this year and will join Nigeria as part of the Browns’ territory. It is a “natural move” for the Browns as Cleveland and Northeast Ohio are “one of many areas in the country with a robust Italian community grown from immigration” (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 3/30).
