Arizona Cardinals Owner Bill Bidwill Passes Away at 88
By Ryan Giglio
Another one of the NFL's stalwart owners has left us, changing the league landscape further.
Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill announced that his father and team owner Bill Bidwill passed away on Wednesday. The younger Bidwill said his father died peacefully and surrounded by his loved ones, aged 88.
“Our dad passed away today the same way he lived his life: peacefully, with grace, dignity and surrounded by family and loved ones,” #AZCardinals President Michael Bidwill, announcing the death of his father & team owner, Bill Bidwill, at the age of 88. Statement from the team?? pic.twitter.com/MjnbCtnt5u
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) October 2, 2019
Bidwill has been the sole owner of the franchise since 1972, after co-owning it with his brother for the 10 years prior. The team was originally bought by their father in 1932, and has stayed in the family ever since, even as it's drastically changed locations, from Chicago, to St. Louis, to Arizona.
In the wake of the news, the Cardinals tweeted a Larry Fitzgerald-narrated video tribute to Bidwill. The video reflected on many of Bidwill's contributions to the NFL, including his early desire to increase minority front office hirings around the league.
In Remembrance of Mr. B
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 2, 2019
Read by Larry Fitzgerald pic.twitter.com/YKAO0Awtrp
During Bidwill's tenure as owner, three Super Bowls (XXX, XLVII and LVII) were hosted in Arizona, making an estimated $720 million economic impact. Of course, the Cardinals also appeared in Super Bowl XLIII under Bidwill.
Bidwill is survived by five children, 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.