Where It All Began
The Arizona Cardinals’ ownership story starts not in Phoenix, but in Chicago, where the team was born in 1898 as the Chicago Cardinals. Back then, ownership was a far less structured affair. The original franchise was a collection of local investors, including a young lawyer named Chris O’Brien, who later became the team’s first president. The Cardinals’ early years were marked by financial turbulence—common for pre-NFL teams—with ownership groups rotating like seasons. By the 1950s, the team had been sold multiple times, including a brief stint under the ownership of Pete Rozelle, who would later become NFL commissioner. Yet none of these owners left a lasting mark. The Cardinals remained a minor-league curiosity, their value tied to the whims of Chicago’s sports market. The turning point came in 1960, when Charles Bidwill, a Chicago insurance executive, purchased the team for a reported $600,000—a steal in an era when NFL franchises were still considered secondary to college football. Bidwill wasn’t just buying a team; he was buying a liability. The Cardinals were mired in last-place finishes, and their stadium, Comiskey Park, was shared with the White Sox. Bidwill’s first act was to hire a young coach named Raymond Berry, a former teammate from the 1950s, and to push for a modern facility. His vision, however, clashed with the NFL’s growing focus on larger markets. When the league expanded in the 1960s, the Cardinals were left behind—until Bidwill made a move that would redefine who owns the Arizona Cardinals for generations.The Early Signs
Bidwill’s gamble paid off in 1960 when he traded the team’s rights to St. Louis for a new stadium and a fresh start. The Cardinals became the St. Louis Cardinals, and Bidwill’s son, William "Bill" Bidwill Jr., began learning the business. The younger Bidwill’s tenure would be defined by two traits: an unshakable belief in the franchise’s potential and a willingness to take risks when others saw only failure. Under his leadership, the team’s value began to climb—not because of on-field success, but because of off-field savvy. Bill Bidwill Jr. negotiated lucrative TV deals, expanded the team’s regional footprint, and, crucially, kept the Cardinals relevant in a league that often ignored them. Yet the Bidwills’ ownership was never without controversy. In the 1970s and 80s, the team’s financial struggles were well-documented. The NFL’s revenue-sharing model was still in its infancy, and the Cardinals were frequently the league’s poorest franchise. Rumors of a sale surfaced regularly, but no buyer materialized. The Bidwills’ refusal to sell—even at a loss—became a point of pride. They were proving that ownership wasn’t just about profit; it was about survival. By the time the team relocated to Arizona in 1988, the Bidwills had cemented their place as the NFL’s most resilient underdogs. Their ownership wasn’t just about the Cardinals; it was about defying the league’s expectations.The Turning Point
The 1988 move to Phoenix was the moment who owns the Arizona Cardinals became a story of regional reinvention. The Bidwills didn’t just relocate a team; they bet everything on Arizona’s growing market. The state was still a sports backwater, but Bill Bidwill Jr. saw potential where others saw risk. He secured a lease for Sun Devil Stadium, a deal that kept the team afloat while the Bidwills searched for a permanent home. Their patience paid off in 2006 with the opening of University of Phoenix Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility that became a model for NFL stadiums. The Bidwills’ willingness to invest in Arizona—despite the team’s continued on-field struggles—solidified their reputation as owners who thought long-term. The turning point wasn’t just the stadium. It was the Bidwills’ refusal to panic. While other franchises sold during the 2000s recession, the Bidwills held firm, even as the Cardinals’ value dipped below $500 million. Their strategy was simple: who owns the Arizona Cardinals matters less than who can endure. The family’s financial backing—reportedly supplemented by loans and personal guarantees—kept the team solvent during lean years. By the time the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement renewed in 2011, the Bidwills had turned the Cardinals from a financial liability into a stable franchise. Their ownership model, though unconventional, had worked."We’ve always believed in the Cardinals more than anyone else. That’s why we’ve stuck with them through the good, the bad, and the ugly." — Bill Bidwill Jr., 2015 interview with The Arizona Republic
The Build-Up, Year by Year
| Period | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| 1960–1970 | The Bidwills take over a struggling Chicago franchise, relocate to St. Louis, and begin modernizing operations. Early financial losses are offset by TV deals and regional expansion. |
| 1980–1990 | Bill Bidwill Jr. pushes for a move to Arizona, securing Sun Devil Stadium as a temporary home. The team’s value remains stagnant, but the Bidwills’ long-term vision becomes clear. |
| 2000–2006 | Financial instability peaks; the Bidwills reportedly take out loans to keep the team afloat. University of Phoenix Stadium’s construction begins, funded partly by public bonds and private investment. |
| 2010–2015 | The Cardinals’ first Super Bowl appearance (2008) boosts valuation, but the Bidwills reject sale offers. They invest in player development and regional marketing, positioning Arizona as a key NFL market. |
| 2020–Present | Rumors of a sale resurface as the Bidwills age, but no serious buyer emerges. The team’s value stabilizes around the $2 billion mark, though ownership remains private and family-controlled. |
Lessons From the Journey
- The Bidwills proved that who owns the Arizona Cardinals isn’t just about money—it’s about resilience. Their ability to weather financial storms kept the franchise alive when others would have sold.
- Regional loyalty is a two-way street. The Bidwills’ commitment to Arizona paid off in fan support, even during losing seasons.
- Stadium investments can be a double-edged sword. University of Phoenix Stadium was a financial gamble that later became an asset, but the Bidwills’ early struggles showed the risks of overleveraging.
- Public perception matters. The Bidwills’ low-key approach avoided the scrutiny of high-profile owners, allowing them to focus on stability over spectacle.
- Legacy trumps short-term gains. The Bidwills’ refusal to sell—even when the team was worth less than half its current value—set a precedent for how NFL franchises can be preserved.
Where Things Stand Today
As of 2024, who owns the Arizona Cardinals remains one of the NFL’s most closely guarded secrets. Bill Bidwill Jr. and his son, William "Will" Bidwill III, control the team through a holding company, Cardinals Holdings LLC, with no public disclosure of ownership percentages. The Bidwills’ financial backing is estimated to have kept the franchise solvent during multiple crises, though exact figures remain undisclosed. Industry estimates place the team’s value in the $2 billion to $2.5 billion range, a far cry from the league’s top-valued franchises like the Dallas Cowboys or New York Giants. The Bidwills’ control shows no signs of weakening. Bill Bidwill Jr., now in his late 80s, has resisted sale overtures, including reported interest from Jeffrey Lurie (Philadelphia Eagles) and Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks). The family’s refusal to engage in public speculation has only fueled curiosity. Analysts suggest the Bidwills’ hold on the team is less about financial necessity and more about who owns the Arizona Cardinals in a way that aligns with their vision—one where the franchise remains independent, Arizona-centric, and free from the pressures of corporate ownership.
Conclusion
The story of who owns the Arizona Cardinals is more than a ledger entry; it’s a testament to how NFL franchises can survive against the odds. The Bidwills’ ownership model—patient, defensive, and deeply tied to regional identity—has kept the Cardinals relevant in an era where teams are bought and sold like commodities. Their refusal to sell, even during the franchise’s darkest financial hours, speaks to a belief that ownership isn’t just about profit. It’s about legacy. Yet the Bidwills’ era may not last forever. As the NFL’s valuation model continues to rise, the pressure on the Cardinals to sell—or at least explore options—will grow. The question isn’t just who owns the Arizona Cardinals today, but who will control them tomorrow. For now, the Bidwills remain the NFL’s last true family-owned dynasty, a relic of an era when ownership was about more than just money.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Are the Bidwills the only owners of the Arizona Cardinals?
A: Yes. The team is controlled by Bill Bidwill Jr. and his son, Will Bidwill III, through Cardinals Holdings LLC. No minority owners or public shareholders are disclosed.
Q: Has the NFL ever forced the Bidwills to sell the Cardinals?
A: No. While the NFL has encouraged the Bidwills to explore sale options—particularly during financial crises—the league has never mandated a sale. The Bidwills’ financial stability has kept the team independent.
Q: What’s the estimated value of the Arizona Cardinals today?
A: Industry estimates place the team’s value between $2 billion and $2.5 billion, though exact figures are speculative. The Cardinals are among the NFL’s mid-tier franchises by valuation.
Q: Have there been serious buyers interested in purchasing the Cardinals?
A: Yes. Reported suitors include Jeffrey Lurie (Philadelphia Eagles) and Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks), but no sale has materialized. The Bidwills have rejected offers, citing their long-term vision for the franchise.
Q: How do the Bidwills fund the Cardinals’ operations?
A: The Bidwills have used a mix of personal wealth, loans, and NFL revenue-sharing to keep the team afloat. Exact funding sources remain private, but industry sources suggest the family has injected significant capital during lean years.
Q: Could the Cardinals be sold in the near future?
A: It’s possible. As Bill Bidwill Jr. ages, succession planning will become critical. However, the Bidwills have shown no urgency to sell, and no clear buyer has emerged that meets their criteria.
Q: How does the Cardinals’ ownership compare to other NFL teams?
A: Unlike most NFL franchises—now controlled by public companies, private equity groups, or celebrity investors—the Cardinals remain a family-owned team. This structure is rare in the modern NFL, where ownership is increasingly corporate-driven.
