For the past few seasons, the Arizona Cardinals and their ownership have come under fire from the media and former employees for cultivating a “toxic” work environment. Last year, reports surfaced from within the Cardinals clubhouse that owner Michael Bidwill had developed a “culture of fear” within the organization, and this offseason, the team’s office finished near the bottom of the NFLPA Report Card.
On Wednesday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that in what is likely an attempt to curb unwanted and non-flattering reports from ex-employees, the Arizona Cardinals will offer NDAs to workers in exchange for money.
Arizona Cardinals: Offering NDAs to Employees
According to NFL insider Mike Florio, the Arizona Cardinals are reportedly offering NDAs to a “large number” of outgoing workers in an attempt to limit bad press. Last year, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Sports Business Journal, and The New York Times, among others, ran a story after former Arizona Cardinals employees went public with their horrifying experiences working with the NFC West club.
Cardinals reportedly are offering NDAs to a "large number" of outgoing employees, in an apparent effort to manage bad press. https://t.co/jQbwZUbml4
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 21, 2024
Team owner Michael Bidwill and the company will now try to avoid more poor press, offering NDAs to outgoing employees for money. Per Kyle Odegard of SportsCasting.com, the Cardinals have routinely used the practice of providing NDAs, but mid-tier and lower-level employees were not offered a money exchange until this offseason.
Michael Bidwill: Heavily Critised NFL Owner
NFL New Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon
This offseason, the Arizona Cardinals and owner Michael Bidwill began to offer mid-tier and lower-level employees money in exchange for signing an NDA following their departure from the franchise. Since 2022, the Cardinals and Bidwill have been central to numerous negative headlines. In recent years, former employees have flocked to high-end media outlets to share their horror stories of working under Bidwill. Meanwhile, former Vice President Terry McDonough outed Bidwill for forcing team executives to use burner phones to communicate with then-suspended general manager Steve Keim in 2018.
Additionally, following a DUI arrest, Bidwill berated employees, including former Cardinals executive Ron Minegar. Before his run-in with the law, Minegar had prepared a statement for Bidwill regarding the workplace environment he had cultivated over the years.
“Your negativity sucks the life out of the entire process and erodes our collective resolve to work our asses off for you and this franchise,” Minegar wrote. “It’s not just me — everyone in this building is impacted by your constant negativity,” wrote Minegar in a letter for Bidwill. Female employees have also stated over the years that Bidwill created an environment that has become “fearful” and “not a fun place to work.” However, despite sharing their frustrations in a survey, the complaints were brushed aside.
Arizona Cardinals: Entering Pivotal 2024 Season
On the field, the Arizona Cardinals will enter their second season under head coach Jonathan Gannon. Arizona went 4-13 last year, playing most of the first half without quarterback Kyler Murray. In eight games, Murray threw for 1,799 yards, ten touchdowns, and five picks while the team posted a 3-5 record.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Arizona Cardinals have the highest odds to win the NFC West at +1300. Meanwhile, only the New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, New York Giants, and Carolina Panthers have worse odds to win the NFC.
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