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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indianapolis Colts’ top lawyer, Dan Emerson, plans to retire later this year after more than four decades with the team.
The chief legal officer was hired to represent the football team when then-owner Robert Irsay moved the Colts to Indianapolis from Baltimore in 1984. He will be replaced by Taft Stettinius & Hollister attorney Elijah Hammans, the team said Wednesday.
Emerson played a key role in many big decisions since the NFL team’s arrival, current owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon said in a statement. Those included the construction of Lucas Oil Stadium and the Colts’ lease with the city.
Irsay-Gordon and her sisters took over ownership of the franchise following the 2025 death of their father, Jim, who had succeeded his father.
“Our father and grandfather had so much trust in Dan’s judgement and the ultimate respect for him as a professional and a person, and he’s likewise been an invaluable resource to my sisters and me,” Irsay-Gordon said.
Before joining the Colts, Emerson had practiced law with Bose McKinney & Evans, where he chaired the Indianapolis firm’s sports and entertainment law group.
Hammans served as a partner with Taft Stettinius, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions and general corporate matters.
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