Arizona Cardinals are a model franchise in any league
By Erich Becker
From laughingstock to influencing teams in other leagues, the Arizona Cardinals have come pretty far.
For years the Arizona Cardinals were considered the epitome of dysfunction in the NFL, a cheap owner, bad players, bad stadium, bad management, hopeful coaches, lost promises and an empty place to play in Tempe. But things have changed over the years, something that we’ve all witnessed over the last few seasons.
To a degree it started when Michael Bidwill took over as President of the team from his father, Michael helped make University of Phoenix Stadium happen for the team, and since then, it has been filled for every game, sold out.
The culture changed dramatically on the regime change that saw Steve Keim and Bruce Arians take over in 2013, Carson Palmer come to the desert for a late round pick, and two playoff seasons later, the team is flush with talent, and something that other teams are starting to model themselves after.
But it isn’t just teams in the NFL that have looked to the Arizona Cardinals for guidance on how to run an operation.
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The NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, a geographical neighbor at Westgate in Glendale, AZ have looked at the Cardinals as something they want to become. Yesterday, the team let go of Don Maloney, the 2010 GM of the Year in the NHL after a disappointing season that saw the ‘Yotes miss the playoffs again.
The Coyotes are involved in a bitter dispute with the City of Glendale, and aside from ownership struggles, a desperate tanking measure for a high lottery pick last season, and a season that saw several breakout stars evolve, they still finished fourth in the Pacific Division.
The President and CEO of Ice Edge Holdings, the ownership group of the team, Anthony LeBlanc, addressed the media yesterday, a curious line came out.
"We have actually studied our neighbors, the Arizona Cardinals, and are looking to their structure as a model for success of how ownership, management, coaches and the team interact with each other"
It is interesting to see just how much the paradigm as shifted for the Cardinals in recent years. As I started this piece, the Cardinals were always thought as a team that would give you an easy win, you could enjoy the great weather here in the winter, and see all your fans in their stadium.
Now, not only are teams looking for “the next Bruce Arians” but teams in other leagues are looking at the management dynamics that govern a successful football franchise when everyone is able to do what they’re paid to do. Bidwill provides the template and the experience needed to run this franchise successfully and it only goes to show how far the Cardinals have come under his leadership and how much of an influence they can have all around the country.