Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill is facing mounting scrutiny following a series of allegations and controversies that have cast a shadow over his leadership.
Former Cardinals front-office executive Terry McDonough recently filed an arbitration claim with the NFL, accusing Bidwill of orchestrating the use of burner phones to communicate with then-general manager Steve Keim during Keim’s league-imposed suspension for an extreme DUI in 2018. McDonough also alleged that Bidwill mistreated pregnant and Black employees, accusations that the team and Bidwill have vehemently denied in a detailed statement.
If McDonough’s claims are substantiated, the allegations could lead to significant consequences for Bidwill. Such actions, if proven, would be on par with the misconduct that plagued former Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder, whose reign was marred by allegations of toxic workplace behavior and led to the eventual sale of the team.
Adding weight to McDonough’s accusations, Pro Football Talk obtained an email from a second former Cardinals executive that corroborated several of the claims, including Bidwill’s alleged mistreatment of team office staffers and his decision to shut down an employee survey when early results reflected poorly on him. These revelations come amid a broader discussion about the culture within the Cardinals organization.
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) survey released earlier this year further highlighted issues within the franchise. Arizona players graded the team poorly in several categories, including treatment of families, food service and nutrition, weight room, training room, and locker room. The Cardinals received an F or F-minus in five of the eight categories, making them one of the lowest-rated organizations in the league. These findings paint a troubling picture of an organization struggling to meet basic standards of care for its players and staff.
The controversies surrounding Bidwill also include last year’s much-maligned “homework clause” in quarterback Kyler Murray’s contract extension. The clause, which required Murray to spend additional time studying game film, was widely criticized as demeaning and unnecessary. Its inclusion and subsequent leak to the media reflected poorly on the organization and raised questions about its decision-making processes.
As pressure mounts, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell may be compelled to investigate the allegations against Bidwill. The league has yet to comment on the matter publicly, but the growing list of claims underscores the need for accountability within the Cardinals organization. For Bidwill, the road ahead could be fraught with challenges as he seeks to navigate these troubling accusations while restoring credibility to a franchise already under fire.