Michael Bidwill Inducted Into Arizona Sports Hall Of Fame

Cardinals owner joins father along with other franchise greats

Apr 11, 2025 at 03:13 PM

Darren Urban

azcardinals.com

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill gives his acceptance speech during his induction to the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday night.

Last year, when the Cardinals began a partnership with Arizona's Family to broadcast girls flag football, Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill was at a game when the mother of one of the players came up to him to say thank you.

"We feel seen," the mother said.

Bidwill recounted the story Thursday night as he was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame at the Chateau Luxe in Phoenix as part of the 2024 Hall induction ceremony.

"It was a powerful reminder that sports can do that," Bidwill said. "It can make us feel seen."

Bidwill's impact in Arizona has been seen. That was acknowledged at the ceremony making him the sixth person with Cardinals ties to go into the state’s sports Hall of Fame. Players Adrian Wilson, Jake Plummer, Pat Tillman and Larry Fitzgerald are in, as well as Michael's father and owner, the late Bill Bidwill.

"It's special knowing all the great Cardinals (that are in), and all the great athletes and contributors to sports that have made Arizona so great," Michael Bidwill said. "To be in that group, and as Jake Plummer said in a video, to be in the club, it's a really cool club to be in."

Bidwill began working full-time with the Cardinals under his father in 1996 after a stint as a federal prosecutor. He was the driver of the work to get State Farm Stadium built – a building that not only houses the Cardinals but has allowed the Valley to host Super Bowls, college playoff games and Final Fours.

"I think he's going to be remembered as a visionary," former Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald said.

Bidwill is also a member of multiple NFL committees, including the Management Council Executive Committee.

"It's much deserved," new/old Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell said. "He's been a pillar of the community for a long time."

Bidwill also has been a leader in the Valley's business community, leaving a giant impact through the prism of the Cardinals.

"It's really important how much the community has embraced us and how much we've tried to contribute," Bidwill said.

Also inducted Thursday were 14-year NBA pro Mike Bibby, who attended the University of Arizona and Phoenix Shadow Mountain High School; long-time U.S. soccer star Julie Ertz, who attended Mesa Dobson High School; former Diamondbacks GM Joe Garagiola Jr.; U of A football star Ricky Hunley; Six-time Major League Baseball all-star Paul Konerko, who attended Scottsdale Chaparral High School; Three-time Olympic gold medal swimmer and ASU Sun Devil Melissa Belote Ripley; and the late Matt Schott, who was the senior director of amateur hockey development for the Arizona Coyotes.

"It's such a select group," Bidwill said. "The committee that goes through these names gives it a lot of thought and deliberation.

"I still feel there is so much more I want to do to impact this community with our team and sports in general. I feel we are just getting started."

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Arizona Cardinals Owner Michael Bidwill is inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, April 10, 2025 in Phoenix, AZ.