Back in February, the Cardinals announced they were going to drop $100 million into renovating the Tempe practice facility, with planned completion by 2027. That announcement just so happened to come right after the NFLPA gave the team an F grade for their weight room, D- training facilities, D- owner grade - one of the worst report cards in the NFL. Convenient timing.
Bidwill got humiliated. For the first time his ineptitude was on full display thanks to this anonymous survey. The team facilities are flat out embarrassing and Bidwill was rated as one of the worst owners in the NFL.
Fast forward six months and what do we have? Nothing. No renderings, no blueprints, no updates, not even a fluff PR video. Meanwhile, the Patriots (who ranked above the Cardinals - barely) announced their upgraded training facility and immediately rolled out detailed plans and renderings - NBC article. The Broncos (B training room and B weight room) announced a $175 million renovation. The Bears (B+ and A) announced $100 million renovation.
Local coverage has already pointed out how tight-lipped the Cardinals are being:
"It does raise the question: What kind of Taj Mahal are the Arizona Cardinals planning to build for the $100 million they say they plan to put into their training facility at Warner Road and Hardy Drive in south Tempe? They’re not saying – yet. They would have an interested audience at Tempe City Hall, given that the city owns the land and the buildings that the Cardinals lease as their corporate and training headquarters. Under terms of their lease, they can make minor alterations to the facility without getting Tempe’s permission, although they have to let the city know what they’re doing."
So I’ll just say this - this feels like vintage Bidwill. Smoke and mirrors. Say the right thing when he’s under fire, then go radio silent once the headlines cool down. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Was this announcement ever real? Or was it just a stunt to calm down players and fans after getting embarrassed with that F grade? It looks like Bidwill is doing what he’s done for decades: talk big, spend little and hope everyone forgets.
Bidwill got humiliated. For the first time his ineptitude was on full display thanks to this anonymous survey. The team facilities are flat out embarrassing and Bidwill was rated as one of the worst owners in the NFL.
Fast forward six months and what do we have? Nothing. No renderings, no blueprints, no updates, not even a fluff PR video. Meanwhile, the Patriots (who ranked above the Cardinals - barely) announced their upgraded training facility and immediately rolled out detailed plans and renderings - NBC article. The Broncos (B training room and B weight room) announced a $175 million renovation. The Bears (B+ and A) announced $100 million renovation.
Local coverage has already pointed out how tight-lipped the Cardinals are being:
"It does raise the question: What kind of Taj Mahal are the Arizona Cardinals planning to build for the $100 million they say they plan to put into their training facility at Warner Road and Hardy Drive in south Tempe? They’re not saying – yet. They would have an interested audience at Tempe City Hall, given that the city owns the land and the buildings that the Cardinals lease as their corporate and training headquarters. Under terms of their lease, they can make minor alterations to the facility without getting Tempe’s permission, although they have to let the city know what they’re doing."
So I’ll just say this - this feels like vintage Bidwill. Smoke and mirrors. Say the right thing when he’s under fire, then go radio silent once the headlines cool down. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Was this announcement ever real? Or was it just a stunt to calm down players and fans after getting embarrassed with that F grade? It looks like Bidwill is doing what he’s done for decades: talk big, spend little and hope everyone forgets.
