Read the arguments by Babe Ruthless and Bleacher Fan about which owner they believe is the worst in the NFL.
Some NFL owners are recognizable for various reasons. Put up a picture of many pro football team owners and most football fans recognize them. Some that come to mind obviously include Jerry Jones, Daniel Snyder, Al Davis, Robert Kraft, Arthur Blank, etc. Other owners are not as recognizable, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Today, however, TSD is debating the worst owner in the NFL. We had a great time discussing this one behind the scenes, believe me! Both Babe Ruthless and Bleacher Fan have great choices, but I believe that Bill Bidwell, current owner for the Arizona Cardinals, is without a doubt the worst owner in pro football.
Granted, the Cardinals are on a little bit of an upswing right now with last season’s near Super Bowl win and this season’s team off to a 7-3 start. The Cardinals have an NFL superstar in Larry Fitzgerald and a possible future Hall of Fame quarterback in Kurt Warner. But the past two years are two of the best in franchise history. And, quite frankly, that is unacceptable.
Bidwell became part owner of the Cardinals in 1962 and assumed full control in 1972. In his 47 years as at least a part owner the Cardinals (whether in St. Louis or Arizona) have only made the postseason FIVE times!!! Yes, that’s right – FIVE times!
For years the Arizona Cardinals were one of the laughing stocks of the league. Bidwell has been laughed at by opponents and cursed by fans. Draft picks went unsigned. The organization rarely fielded a competitive team, and for 18 years Bidwell allowed fans to bake in the hot desert heat at fan-unfriendly Sun Devil Stadium… a stadium the team sold out just 12 times! Since he took over the reins in 1972, the team’s record under his watch is a ridiculously bad 237-344-4. That record includes 17 losing seasons in its current home, Arizona. It also includes four postseason wins with three of those wins coming in last season’s magical run.
Many say Bidwell gets too much criticism. They say he stays out of the limelight because he does not like the attention. Perhaps that is a good thing because Bidwell does not get a lot of attention, positive attention at least, since the Cardinals have been unsuccessful for much of their existence. The bottom line, however, is winning. Winning is something the Cardinals have not done consistently. Heck, it really isn’t something the organization has done sporadically. Five postseason appearances under Bidwell’s watch is totally ridiculous. That is one of the many reasons I have declared Bill Bidwell the worst owner in pro football, despite the run the Cardinals current success.
