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Michael Bidwill has been the team’s vice president and general counsel since 1996. He joined the organization after practicing law for six years as a federal prosecutor and since returning to the team, his undeniable leadership has led to an array of positive changes.
Among his most prominent roles has been the development of the new Cardinals Stadium, a project that he has spearheaded from its inception through its opening and beyond. Bidwill was a driving force in community and political arenas as the vision for the eventual public-private partnership evolved from concept to reality.
In 2002 when the Cardinals took over design and construction control of the stadium project, Bidwill insisted that the team establish a new standard of design excellence and to do so the franchise significantly increased its investment in the project. Since then, the venue has received worldwide acclaim for its distinctive architecture and cutting-edge design and this past February it was named by Business Week as one of the ten most impressive sports facilities in the world.
Undoubtedly, the work of Bidwill and other community leaders has brought a truly world-class venue to Arizona that will not only be home to the Cardinals, but also the Super Bowl in February of 2008, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl annually, and the Bowl Championship Series title game on a rotating basis beginning in 2007. The stadium project also created revenue streams to buoy the Cactus League (Arizona spring training baseball), fund community youth recreation, and double the state’s tourism promotion budget in Maricopa County.
Bidwill was instrumental in the political campaign strategy that created the dramatic come-from-behind win on election night in 2000 when Maricopa County voters approved the stadium funding plan via Proposition 302. The measure also created the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) that has earmarked $73.5 million over 30 years for youth and amateur sports in Maricopa County.
Michael is a member of the NFL Security Advisory Group, a committee of eight club executives that oversees and develops best security practices for NFL facilities. He also serves on Arizona’s Super Bowl Host Committee which is preparing to stage Super Bowl XLII at Cardinals Stadium in February of 2008.
In other administrative capacities, Bidwill continues to help mold the Cardinals’ future. In 2005, that included some significant aesthetic enhancements as the Cardinals updated their traditional bird-head logo and followed that a few months later with the complete re-design of the team’s uniforms. Previously, he spearheaded the restructuring of the Cardinals’ marketing and sales department and the team’s community relations efforts.
The expanded community outreach was acknowledged by The (Phoenix) Business Journal which recognized the Cardinals for their proactive, hands-on community efforts. Bidwill’s contributions were also cited by Chicanos Por La Causa, a local group that works on social issues in the Hispanic community, when they presented the Cardinals with their 2005 Corporate Award.
Bidwill’s community focus also has a particular eye on the value of youth sports. That awareness was recognized when he received the 2003 Glenn S. Pop Warner Award, presented annually by the national youth football organization to an individual who has achieved excellence in athletics, scholarship, and life’s endeavors with integrity and humanity. In 2005, the Cardinals were again recognized by that organization when selected as the NFC recipient of the 2005 Pop Warner NFL Team of the Year for their commitment to the development of youth football in the Arizona area.
Bidwill also serves on numerous committees and boards for a variety of Phoenix-area community and charitable organizations. In 2004, he was named honorary chairman for the Step Up For Youth campaign to raise $1.16 million to double the size of the Glendale/Peoria YMCA’s facilities and add new programs and services.
A licensed pilot and flying enthusiast, Bidwill also donates his time and resources as a volunteer for Flying Samaritans, a group of volunteers including doctors and other medical personnel who offer free medical clinics in Mexico.
From 1990-96, Bidwill was a federal prosecutor in Phoenix where he specialized in homicide and other violent crime cases. He also directed three task forces, including the FBI’s gang task force on the Navajo Indian Reservation in northeast Arizona. He received seven letters of commendation in his role with the U.S. Department of Justice from various law enforcement agencies.
He earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from St. Louis University in 1987 and in 1990 earned a law degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
Born December 6, 1964 in St. Louis, MO, Bidwill resides in Paradise Valley, AZ. | 