Arizona Cardinals' Michael Bidwill joins long list of NFL owners with off-field accusations

Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill came under fire earlier this week when news broke that a former executive for his team had filed an arbitration claim against him, accusing him of gross misconduct, cheating, discrimination and harassment.

While Bidwill is the latest NFL owner to be accused of off-field improprieties, he certainly is not the only one.

In fact, he's just the latest in a long list of football team owners that have come under the spotlight for woes off of the football field.

Take a look at some recent accusations against Bidwill and some other NFL owners as well as the response from the league.

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder

Accusations: Some of the allegations against Snyder are very sordid. Among them: That he propositioned a cheerleader to have sex with his friend, that he told a female employee to avoid a coach that was accused of groping her and that cheerleaders were filmed in various states of undress. CBS News has a roundup of the accusations against Snyder here.

NFL response: Snyder has reportedly demanded that other NFL owners and the league indemnify him against future legal liability and costs if he sells the Commanders, and reports of him being in the process of selling the team have swirled. The NFL has not made a public response, although Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has said there’s “merit to remove” Snyder as owner of the Commanders.

Moore: Terry McDonough might be a jerk, but that doesn't mean he's wrong about Cardinals

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft

Accusations: Kraft was charged with solicitation as part of an anti-sex trafficking investigation into a string of about 10 massage parlors in Florida in 2019. The charges against the Patriots owner were eventually dropped when an appeals court ruled that surveillance footage had been obtained illegally.

NFL response: Kraft didn't face any discipline from the NFL.

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross

Accusations: Ross was accused of violating the "integrity of the game" numerous times in recent years. Among the accusations: He contracted Tom Brady when he was under contract with other teams and he suggested that his team should lose games on purpose to help its draft position.

NFL response: The NFL suspended Ross for the first six games of the 2022 season and fined him $1.5 million.

More: Who is Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill?

Former Houston Texas owner Bob McNair

Accusations: In 2017, McNair reportedly told other NFL owners that they "can’t have the inmates running the prison" during a meeting that didn't include current players. McNair's comments set off a firestorm of reaction throughout the NFL and the sports world.

NFL response: McNair died in 2018 and did not face any punishment from the NFL. His family still owns the team.

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson

Accusations: Johnson was under investigation by the State Department following allegations of racist and sexist comments while he served as an ambassador to the United Kingdom, including questioning the purpose of Black History Month and Black fathers and comments on the appearance of women at events. He also was under fire for allegedly attempting to get the Open Championship played at a golf resort owned by Donald Trump.

NFL response: Johnson denied the report and wasn't punished by the league.

More: Former Arizona Cardinals exec files grievance against owner Michael Bidwill

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

Accusations: Jones is accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit that was revived in a Texas appellate court last year after a trial court granted a motion to dismiss it by Jones' attorneys. A woman said that Jones “kissed her on the mouth and forcibly grabbed her without her consent” in 2018 after a game at AT&T Stadium, which is where the Cowboys play their home games.

NFL response: The NFL has not responded to the accusations against Jones.

Los Angeles Chargers owner Dean Spanos

Accusations: Spanos' sister accused the Chargers owner of "misogynistic" behavior, "self-dealing" and repeated "breaches of fiduciary duty" in a lawsuit in 2022. The sister, Dea Spanos Berberian, is seeking sole control of a family trust that constitutes more than one-third of the Chargers' ownership.

NFL response: The NFL has not addressed the matter involving the Spanos family.

Former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson

Accusations: A series of allegations followed Richardson during his time with the Panthers, including allegations of workplace misconduct that included improper back rubs and asking to shave the legs of female employees, as well as using a racial slur.

NFL response: Richardson was fined $2.75 million after a league investigation found evidence that substantiated claims against him. Richardson went on to sell the team.

Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill

Accusations: Former team executive Terry McDonough alleges that Bidwill coerced him into using burner phones to communicate with then-GM Steve Keim while Keim was suspended in 2018. The filing also states that “Bidwill subjected McDonough to bullying, mocking, harassing and abusive behavior.” The grievance contends other charges against Bidwill, such as treating a Black employee and two pregnant women poorly, citing the owner “created an environment of fear for minority employees.”

NFL response: The NFL has not commented on the situation, but the Cardinals have strongly denied the accusations against Bidwill.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL owners under fire: Arizona Cardinals' Michael Bidwill joins list