Former Cardinals employee Terry McDonough recently saw his arbitration case against the team and owner Michael Bidwill come to an end. After being awarded $3MM as a result of the Cardinals’ statement made against him last year stemming from his other allegations, the matter could now proceed in court. 
McDonough has filed a lawsuit against the Cardinals, Bidwill, the third-party PR firm Counterpoint Strategies and others, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes. The suit comes in the wake of an NFL arbitrator ruling the team’s statement against him was “false and defamatory,” resulting in the awarding of punitive damages as well as awards for emotional distress and damages to McDonough’s reputation.
“We are aware of the complaint but have no additional comment as it is an active legal matter,” the Cardinals said in a response to the situation (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).
The arbitration case against Bidwill and the Cardinals did not result in damages owing to the team’s dismissal of McDonough in January 2023. That decision – which ended his 10-year run with the organization during which he served as a high-ranking executive – was argued by McDonough to be retribution for his stance against the usage of burner phones with then-suspended general manager Steve Keim and head coach Steve Wilks (among other allegations). The latter’s own legal situation appears to have a connection to this latest McDonough development.
Mike Jurecki of Arizona Football Daily reports McDonough is prepared to continue his legal action until Wilks succeeds in his involvement in the ongoing Brian Flores-led racial discrimination lawsuit. Wilks became a complainant in that case to argue for wrongful termination stemming from his dismissal after a single season at the helm of the Cardinals in 2018. Portions of the suit will be allowed to proceed in open court, but Wilks’ allegations will be tested in arbitration.
As Jurecki (who has reported other ex-Cardinals staffers received an award in addition to McDonough) notes, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell‘s mentor was Will McDonough. That could grant Terry McDonough, Will’s son, direct access to Goodell and thus help his chances of receiving further compensation from the Cardinals. In any event, this case along with that of Wilks will remain an off-field storyline for Arizona for the foreseeable future.
Was this photo taken immediately after he was let go? Looks like he’s about to cry.
You may want to practice on your recognition of facial expressions.
Wow Paddyo, your expert opinion was so helpful! Guess that’s why your account was awarded the gold medallion.
Good for him. Bidwell’s responses have been completely hateful and immature. Making personal attacks speaks volumes.
It appears the league was so focused on taking down Daniel Snyder that Bidwill and his carnival of chaos was able to fly under the radar. Now the jig is up. Can’t help but wonder how many other organizations are getting nervous that a disgruntled employee like McDonough might be in their midst.
The league has known of Bidwell’s nonsense. He’s one of the worst owners in the league, but their family has owned the team forever. If it was a nightmare getting rid of a new school owner like Snyder, it would be ten times worse getting rid of Bidwell despite his reputation around the league. I swear Phoenix has some of the worst sports owners. That guy who sold the Suns was also a terrible owner.
Yes!! They brought back the Bidwell shart pic!!!
Unfortunately, you can’t fire an owner. Considering this is probably the worst possible outcome any PR firm could face some well deserved firings will happen there.