Michael Bidwill

Michael Bidwill (born December 6, 1964) is a National Football League executive with the Arizona Cardinals. After practicing law for six years as a federal prosecutor, Michael Bidwill joined the Arizona Cardinals organization in 1996 as Vice President/General Counsel. Today he serves as team President, a position he had held since 2007.

Michael Bidwill grew up the second of five children in his family. He began to enjoy American football when he visited the Cardinals' training camp for the first time in 1969. In 1974, Bidwill's father, Bill, made him one of the team's ball boys including his brothers William Jr., Patrick and Tim. Said Bidwill in 2007: "I understood at a young age that when you don't win, there will be criticism." Michael Bidwill attended Georgetown Prep and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Saint Louis University in 1987 where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta. Later, he graduated from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University in 1990. From 1990–96, Michael was a federal prosecutor in Phoenix.

In 2014, it was announced that Bidwill was named the chair of the league’s new conduct committee. Composed of representatives of NFL ownership, the committee will review the league’s Personal Conduct Policy at least annually and recommend appropriate changes with advice from outside experts. He also chairs the NFL’s Security and Fan Conduct Committee, a group of eight club executives that oversees and develops best security practices for NFL facilities. He also serves on the board of the National Football League Foundation, which in 2013 awarded more than $23 million in grants to support youth and high school football programs, health and safety efforts, as well as community health initiatives. Bidwill has also been a member of the league’s Business Ventures Committee since 2007 when Commissioner Roger Goodell appointed him to it.

While the Cardinals struggled to fill Sun Devil Stadium, Bidwill publicly stated that fans would respond in greater numbers if given a better environment. He also emphasized that the team could not compete without the revenue streams a new stadium would bring. The Cardinals have sold out all 100 games played since the stadium opened in 2006. They sold out 12 total games in 18 seasons at Sun Devil Stadium. In nine seasons at University of Phoenix Stadium, the Cardinals have won their conference once, their division thrice, earned three playoff berths and finished .500 or better in 6 of 9. They had two seasons of .500 or better in 18 seasons before moving into University of Phoenix Stadium.

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