What did Michael Bidwill do? Cardinals owner accused of mistreating pregnant women, cheating and bullying
The Cardinals organization finds themselves in some hot water as the team's former executive calls out owner Michael Bidwill. Former team VP Terry McDonough filed an arbitration claim to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, citing various accusations towards Bidwill.
McDonough claimed that both he and former head coach Steve Wilks had to follow Bidwill's plan to use burner phones to speak to general manager Steve Keim. Keim was serving a five-week suspension in July 2018 after he pled guilty to a DUI in Arizona at the time.
McDonough said he is still in possession of the phone, which has evidence of the cheating scandal, along with additional documentation. The former Arizona Cardinals VP said in his filing that Bidwill behaved badly towards a black employee and two pregnant women.
He also noted that Bidwill "created an environment of fear for minority employees." The filing also said Bidwill brought the two pregnant women to tears after yelling at them with "abusive and bullying mistreatment."
In a statement, public relations adviser to the franchise Jim McCarthy dismissed the claims made by McDonough.
"We are reluctantly obliged to provide a public response along with broader context for some disappointing and irresponsible actions by Terry McDonough. Claims he has made in an arbitration filing are wildly false, reckless, and an opportunistic ploy for financial gain."
The team has 20 days to counter McDonough's allegations as per the NFL's dispute resolution procedural rules. Goodell then "shall determine whether the dispute is football-oriented ... or not football-oriented" and whether the matter is suited for arbitration.
How long have the Bidwills owned the Cardinals?
The team has been owned by the Bidwell family since 1932, the year Charles Bidwill purchased the then-Chicago Cardinals for $50K. In 1962, Bill Bidwill and his older brother, Charles Bidwill Jr., jointly inherited the franchise from their mother.
Bill later took over sole ownership of the Arizona Cardinals in 1972 when he bought out his brother. Following the death of Bill Bidwill in 2019, his son Michael took over ownership after spending 13 seasons as the president of the franchise.
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