Indianapolis, IN

Jim Irsay’s massive collection of guitars, artifacts from John Lennon, others to be sold

Published

6 months ago

October 30, 2025

Jim Irsay’s massive collection of guitars, artifacts from John Lennon, others to be sold

The Jim Irsay Collection, which experts have valued at more than $1 billion, will be offered at Christie’s New York in a series of auctions starting in March.
Among the items in Irsay’s collection is an Apple II manual signed by Steve Jobs, Hunter S. Thompson’s Red Shark convertible and Jack Kerouac’s original typewritten manuscript of “On The Road.”
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to philanthropy championed by Irsay throughout his life.

INDIANAPOLIS — The family of late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is selling his collection of 199 guitars — dubbed “the greatest guitar collection on Earth” by Guitar World magazine — as well as an eclectic assortment of hundreds of other historic artifacts Irsay amassed from the worlds of pop culture, American history, literature, music and sports.

The Jim Irsay Collection, which experts have valued at more than $1 billion, will be offered at Christie’s New York in a series of auctions starting in March.

“This decision was not made lightly, but with deep reflection and love for the legacy he built,” the Irsay family said in a statement provided by the Colts. A few pieces from the collection will remain with the Irsay family, but “the majority” will be sold.

“Our dad was a passionate collector, driven not by possession, but by a profound appreciation for the beauty, history and cultural resonance of the items he curated,” the Irsay family said. “From iconic instruments to handwritten lyrics by legends to rare historical artifacts and documents, each piece in the collection tells a story – and he was always so excited to share those stories with the world.”

At the center of the Irsay collection, Christie’s said in announcing the sale, are the instruments that were owned and played by some of the greatest artists in music history, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain, Eddie Van Halen and Eric Clapton.

Items owned by Elton John, Ringo Starr, John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Jim Morrison will also be on the auction block.

As Irsay immersed himself in professional football for more than 40 years, first as general manager of the Colts and then as owner, he always had a side gig — collector extraordinaire.

The collection “includes extraordinary sports and movie memorabilia, U.S. presidential artifacts, extremely rare books, documents and manuscripts with a focus on American history, the ‘Beatnik’ movement and much more,” Christie’s said.

There is an Apple II manual signed by Steve Jobs, Hunter S. Thompson’s Red Shark convertible and Jack Kerouac’s original typewritten manuscript of “On The Road.”

“Christie’s is honored to offer this magnificent collection, so lovingly compiled, maintained, and shared bylegendary collector Jim Irsay over decades,” Julien Pradels, president of the Christie’s Americans region, said in a statement announcing the sale.

In recent years, Irsay transformed the collection into a traveling museum and hosted free exhibitions across the U.S. He loaned items to museums, nonprofits and others for display and research, “always with the hope that others would be inspired and united,” the Irsay family said.

Irsay never referred to himself as the owner of the collection but as its steward.

“Now, we believe it’s time for a new life for the collection, and it’s our sincere hope that these artifacts find future stewards who understand and cherish their significance,” the Irsay family said. “In honor of our dad’s lifelong focus on giving, a portion of the proceeds from the sale will go toward philanthropy close to his heart. Giving back was always central to his vision, and this next chapter honors that commitment.”

Free public exhibitions will be part of the sales at Christie’s New York, who said “passionate collectors around the globe (will) have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of history, and provide this exquisite collection its next chapter.”

More information on the auction will be available in the coming months as the sale approaches. Sign up for updates

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.

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Indianapolis, IN

Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win

INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 6-14) thumped Omaha (Royals), 11-3. 1B Rafael Flores Jr. (.206) went 2 for 3 with a double, his first home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. LF Tyler Callihan (.239) went 3 for 4 with a double and his first homer, a two-run shot. DH Enmanuel Valdez (.273) went 2 for 4 with his first homer and three runs scored. RF Esmerlyn Valdez (.258) went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a run scored. SS Davis Wendzel (.269) went 1 for 3 with a double, two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. RHP Carson Fulmer (2-0, 5.51) started, gave up three runs on three hits in five innings and earned the win. RHP Chris Devenski (1.50) and LHP Joe La Sorsa (3.24) each pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Omaha (Royals), 3:05 p.m.

ALTOONA (Double-A, 2-12) had two hits – both solo home runs – and beat Portland (Red Sox), 2-0. LHP Dominic Perachi (1-0, 1.80) started and went six innings, allowing three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. RHP Landon Tomkins (3.38) followed with two scoreless. RHP Jaycob Deese (3.00) worked the ninth for his first save. LF Titus Dumitru (.146) went 1 for 3 with his second homer. C Shawn Ross (.182) went 1 for 3 with his second homer.

Next: Sunday vs. Portland (Red Sox), 1 p.m.

GREENSBORO (High-A, 10-4) lost 8-3 to Brooklyn (Mets). C Easton Carmichael (.273) went 2 for 4 with an RBI. RF Shalin Polanco (.250) went 1 for 3 with a stolen base and an RBI. 1B Jared Jones (.277) went 2 for 5 with a run scored. RHP Carlson Reed (0-1, 7.36) started, recorded one out and gave up four runs on two hits and four walks. RHP Jose Garces (3.60) pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Brooklyn (Mets), 2 p.m.

BRADENTON (Low-A, 5-9) allowed seven stolen bases in its 6-5 loss to Tampa (Yankees). CF Edward Florentino, starting a rehab assignment as he recovers from an ankle injury, went 1 for 3 with a walk, double and run scored. LHP Reinold Navarro (6.43) started and gave up three hits, four walks and two earned runs over three innings while striking out five. SS/1B Eddie Rynders (.128) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. DH Edgleen Perez (.238) went 1 for 4 and drove in two runs. LF/CF Josh Tate (.208) went 2 for 5 with an RBI. 2B/SS Antonio Pimentel (.154) went 2 for 4 with a double. RHP Greiber Mendez (5.40) and RHP Noah Murdock (0-1, 9.00), who took the loss, each gave up two hits and one run in one inning. RHP Treyson Peters pitched the final three innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out two.

Next: Sunday at Tampa (Yankees), noon

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Indianapolis, IN

The Zone Extra | April 18, 2026

Published

16 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It was another busy week in high school sports in central Indiana and ‘The Zone Extra’ has it all covered.

Athlete of the week and Guerin Catholic senior outfielder Ian Taylor is off to a scorching hot start to the young season. Check out his interview as well as Guerin Catholic head coach Dave Schrage talk about Taylor’s success.

The Johnson County baseball tournament came to a close. See highlights from Center Grove’s tournament victory.

The 4A baseball coaches poll was released as well as the 3A softball coaches poll.

The former Columbus North gymnastics coach, John Hinds, passed away at 88 years old.

Center Grove head softball coach Alyssa Coleman joins the show for a coaches corner conversation.

See highlights from the Colts Local Pro Day, featuring several former Hoosiers and Purdue’s Devin Mockobee.

Girls lacrosse is in the first season as an IHSAA emerging sport.

All of that, and more, can be found in the full The Zone Extra show above.

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Indianapolis, IN

Tornado watches issued for counties north and west of Indianapolis

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Tornado watches issued for counties north and west of Indianapolis

(WISH) — A tornado watch was issued until 3 a.m. EDT Saturday for counties northwest and west of Indianapolis, and into Illinois.

Indiana counties in the watch area are Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Elkhart, Fountain, Fulton, Howard, Kosciusko, La Porte, Marshall, Miami, Montgomery, Parke, Pulaski, Putnam, St. Joseph, Starke, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren and White. The watch area includes the cities of Crawfordsville, Elkhart, Lafayette, Lebanon, South Bend, Terre Haute, and West Lafayette.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued two watches in Indiana. The other one until midnight EDT Friday includes the Indiana counties of Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter. That includes the city of Gary. That watch also extends into Illinois.

Storms on Friday night in central Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota led to dozens of confirmed tornado warnings. The storms in central Illinois has gusts up to 80 mph, and tornadoes embedded in heavy rain.

An alert issued after 10:30 p.m. Friday from the National Weather Service at Indianapolis said, “A line of strong thunderstorms is nearing the state line with a history of widespread damaging winds and tornadoes. The line is expected to continue to produce damaging winds as it moves into Indiana with the potential for additional tornadoes. The line is then expected to gradually weaken as it moves further into the state.”

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