Arizona Cardinals owner Michael J. Bidwill addresses the crowd during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cardinals’ new training facility on Feb. 19, 2026, in Phoenix. Syndication: Arizona Republic
GLENDALE – Thursday was a day of celebration for the Arizona Cardinals organization, with the groundbreaking ceremony of their new performance center. The facility is set to be built in 2028, with owner Michael Bidwill highlighting the franchise’s bright future. However, when building for the future, one must have the right personnel.
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Bidwill seemingly has full confidence in new head coach Mike LaFleur and general manager Monti Ossenfort to fill those roles expertly. There remained an open role for a new team president, which was asked by reporters to Bidwill, who quickly shut down that talk.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Arizona Cardinals owner Michael J. Bidwill (center) during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cardinals’ new training facility on Feb. 19, 2026, in Phoenix. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Bidwill’s response to team president question:
Bidwill held the position for team president from 2007 to 2019, until the passing of his father Bill Bidwill. The 61-year-old took over for his father and became the owner of the Cardinals. It was never made clear if Bidwill remained in the role of team president after him becoming principal owner, but he confirms on Thursday that was the case.
Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill speaks to the press from the Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe after the decision to fire head coach Jonathan Gannon on Jan. 5, 2026. Syndication: Arizona Republic
For reference, Bidwill is one of seven NFL owners that also act as team president. Five of those seven teams failed to make the playoffs last season, with the two exceptions being the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers. It would be facetious to automictically assume that this was the cause of the franchise’s latest troubles.
Regardless, one playoff appearance in the past decade with four different head coaches isn’t the goal. As Arizona desperately tries to rebuild its image, it looks to keep Bidwill as team president for the foreseeable future.
Notable name missing from Cardinals performance center break ground ceremony
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
