Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill dies at 88

[Riverumbbq]

Jason Owens,Yahoo Sports 1 hour 8 minutes ago

The Arizona Cardinals announced on Wednesday that team owner Bill Bidwill has died. He was 88 years old.
Bidwill was the principal owner of the Cardinals since 1972. He and his brother Charles Jr. inherited the franchise upon their mother’s death in 1962. His father Charles bought the team in 1932 when it was based in Chicago.

Bidwill moved Cardinals to Arizona
Bill bought Charles Jr. out of his share in 1972. He moved the franchise from St. Louis to Phoenix in 1988.
His son Michael Bidwill is president of the Cardinals. He is assumed to take over control of the franchise.

The NFL released a statment on Bidwill’s death from commissioner Roger Goodell:

“Bill Bidwill was part of the NFL family his entire life, starting from his days as a ball boy through his time as an owner. Although never one to seek the spotlight, Bill had an incredible sense of humor and he made extraordinary contributions to the NFL. Bill's vision brought the Cardinals, the NFL and multiple Super Bowls to Arizona. He was a leader in embracing diversity and employed the first African American female executive, and the first African American general manager and head coach tandem. We extend our condolences to Bill's family and the Cardinals organization, which along with his faith, meant so much to him.”

Bidwill and his wife Nancy, who died in 2016, had five children — Nicole, Bill Jr., Michael, Patrick and Timothy.

Bill Bidwill died Wednesday at 88 years old. (Getty)

Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill dies at 88

The Arizona Cardinals announced on Wednesday that team owner Bill Bidwill has died. He was 88 years old.

www.yahoo.com

 

[AZRams]

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...dinals-owner-bill-bidwill-dies-88/3844056002/


Local coverage...

 

[CGI_Ram]

I was graduating high school when the Cardinals left St. Louis for Phoenix... I remember it well.

People were mad at Bill, big time! But, in retrospect, he tried really hard over many years. As the NFL started to really explode around then, he was right to be asking for a new stadium. Nobody could see it then.

Unfortunately for him, he had to keep waiting once in Phoenix until the 2000’s. Then, I guess, like the rest of the franchises they started making good money and Bidwell spent more on team payroll. It looks like it all worked out for them.

Rest in peace, Bill. Longest tenured owner. 3rd longest family owned franchise. Hard to dislike a family who owns a team many years like that.

 

[SteveBrown]

lived on my street....

 

[coconut]

I was graduating high school when the Cardinals left St. Louis for Phoenix... I remember it well.

People were mad at Bill, big time! But, in retrospect, he tried really hard over many years. As the NFL started to really explode around then, he was right to be asking for a new stadium. Nobody could see it then.

I remember that time well. There is no right way for a team to leave a city that they have identified with by name, but as you said he was correct. Of course he had prior experience with a team that couldn't make enough money to compete or to finance the family lifestyle hence the move from Chicago to St. Louis. People were extremely pissed at the move to Phoenix but in retrospect he was above board and honest in his dealings with the fans and regional government. He was also supportive of each St. Louis effort to return and then to keep the NFL in St. Louis. RIP