Ever found yourself yelling at the TV during a Cardinals game and wondered, “Who’s actually in charge of this whole operation?” It’s a fair question, especially when you see the owner celebrating in the box. The short answer is Michael Bidwill. But the story of how he got that job? It’s way more interesting than just a name on a contract.
The Family Business (With Football)
Michael isn’t some random billionaire who bought the team last year. He’s the son of Bill Bidwill, who owned the team before him. And that’s where it gets cool—the Cardinals have only had three owners since 1932. That’s almost a hundred years of the same family running the show.
Think about that. Your favorite hoodie has changed hands more times than this team. It’s a legacy, like passing down a secret family recipe, except the recipe involves playbooks and draft picks.
From Chicago to St. Louis to the Desert
Here’s the wild part: the Bidwill family didn’t start in Arizona. The original owner, Charles Bidwill, bought the team in 1933 when they were the Chicago Cardinals. Yeah, they were rivals to the Bears back then. His son, Bill, moved the team to St. Louis in 1960, and then finally to Phoenix in 1988.
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So when you see Michael on the sidelines, you’re looking at the grandson of the man who bought the team during the Great Depression. That’s some serious family loyalty, right? He didn’t inherit a startup; he inherited a classic car that’s been through a few paint jobs.
Wait, Does Michael Actually Own It All?
Technically, yes. Michael Bidwill is the principal owner and chairman. But here’s the chill part: the team is actually owned by a trust that keeps it in the family. He’s not just the CEO; he’s the guy who grew up in the team offices, folding programs and dreaming of making a Super Bowl run.
He took over day-to-day control in 2007, and officially became the top dog when his dad passed away in 2019. It’s like he was training for this job his whole life. You don’t just walk in and own the Cardinals; you have to earn the keys to the desert castle.
Arizona Cardinals owner Bidwill taking different approach for GM hire
Why This Matters to You, the Fan
So why should you care? Because a family owner means stability, or at least a weird kind of patience. The Bidwills have seen every high and low. They’ve been the laughingstock of the NFL and the team that almost won the Super Bowl in 2009.
Unlike a corporation that might sell the team tomorrow for a profit, Michael has a personal connection to the bird on the helmet. He’s the one who has to answer when things go wrong—and believe me, fans let him know on social media. It’s his name, his dad’s name, and his grandpa’s name on the line.
A Fun Comparison: The Kardashians of Football?
Okay, not exactly. But the Bidwills are a football dynasty in their own quiet way. Imagine the Kardashians, but instead of reality TV, they focus on offensive lines and cornerbacks. They’ve been in the league longer than most teams have existed.
The Cardinals are the oldest continuously run franchise in the NFL, and the family has been there for nearly all of it. That’s like owning a bakery that opened before sliced bread was invented. You can’t buy that history; you just have to live it.
Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill released from Rhode Island hospital
What’s Next for the Owner?
Michael isn’t just sitting in a luxury box counting money. He’s been pushing for a new stadium and trying to build a winner. He fired coaches, hired new ones, and took heat for trading away stars. Sound familiar? He’s like the quarterback of the front office—everyone blames him when the play fails.
But here’s the hopeful part: he’s a guy who really wants to bring a Lombardi Trophy to the desert. He lives and breathes the Cardinals. You might not always agree with his decisions, but you can’t say he doesn’t care.
So, The Owner Is…?
To wrap it up: Michael Bidwill is the owner. But it’s cooler to say he’s the third generation caretaker of a team that started in Chicago, wandered through St. Louis, and finally found a home under the Arizona sun.
Next time you see him on TV, give him a little nod. He’s not just a rich guy; he’s the grandson of a dream, the son of a gamble, and the guy currently trying to make your Sundays a little more exciting. Pretty chill gig, if you ask me.