Colts owner Jim Irsay has some money to play around with, but it won't be going to Jonathan Taylor. While the running back remains in a standoff with the franchise, Irsay is digging into his pockets to fly an orca whale acro s the country.The cost of Jimmy Graham Jersey airfare is rising nationwide, but the price of a plane ticket for a person pales in comparison to what the cost of loading a four-ton whale onto a plane. Irsay is set to spend $20 million to fly the orca, named Lolita, from Miami to Seattle.The journey not only cost millions, but also is expected to take as many as two years for the flight to happen. That timeline would be even longer if not for Irsay's support.MORE: Here are the details on why Jim Irsay decided to put his money behind Lolita's unprecedented flight.Lolita the orca whale spent the last 53 years in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium since being captured off the coast of Washington in 1970. She entertained visitors for over five decades, but declining health led to the decision to send her back to the Puget Sound, off the northwestern coast of Washington state.Lolita's health is believed to have stabilized, and she could have plenty of time left if the transition back to the ocean isn't too challenging: Orcas live an average Teven Jenkins Jersey of 90 years, and her mother is believed to still be alive at 95 years old.Making freedom a reality isn't as easy as it sounds. So, why is Irsay taking up the cause?"Shes healthy, Ive got the money, lets move her," Irsay told "The Pat McAfee Show" in July.The longtime Colts owner went into more detail in March, when the plan first started coming together.The story of Lolita the orca has Roquan Smith Jersey been near and dear to my heart. I am proud and enthusiastic to play a role in finally returning Lolita to her native Pacific Northwest," Irsay said in a release.Irsay tweeted about the agreement in March, calling the proce s a "ma sive plan," adding the journey will be filmed.Dinner before todays Lolita pre s conference in Miami Beach! Key players in the ma sive plan to finally FREE this 8000 lb killer whale, Lolita!!Stay tuned as this dream unfolds in real time Filmmaker Ryan White to document every incredible step towards FREEDOM Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) Lolita weighs about 8,000 pounds, and her journey will take her from Miami to Seattle. That's a flight time of at least six Jason Peters Jersey hours, so it won't be easy putting together the resources needed to pull off such a move. Thanks to Irsay, however, non-profit organization Friends of Lolita now has the funds to make it happen.MORE: Irsay's father, Robert Irsay, built a $150 million fortune through heating and ventilation busine ses. He used a portion of his fortune $19 million to buy the Los Angeles Rams in 1972. After swapping franchises with the owner of the Colts, Robert Irsay took over the franchise that would move to Indianapolis in 1983.The younger Irsay took on an executive role with the Colts after they moved to Indianapolis and ascended to day-to-day control of the franchise in 1995 when his father had a stroke. Robert Irsay died in 1997, allowing Jim to become the principal owner of the team. Between the inherited wealth and growth of both the Colts and the NFL, Irsay's fortune has increased.Forbes estimated Irsay's net worth as $3.4 billion in Brian Urlacher Jersey 2022, down from $3.5 billion in 2021. He ranked 327th on the latest list, tied with Jets owner Woody Johnson. So Irsay certainly isn't among the wealthiest NFL owners, even while comfortably being a billionaire.While Irsay has found himself involved in a few controversies, including a 2014 arrest on DUI and drug charges, he has been an active philanthropist and donated to numerous causes including cancer research, Indiana University and the Indianapolis Zoo.Lolita the orca's freedom is now set to be his newest cause.
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