William Bidwill

“''We’re going to try. We’ve done a good job of keeping it together up until now, and I think we’ll continue that''.” - Bill Bidwill after a successful 2008 season.

William (Bill) V. Bidwill Sr. was born on July 31, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois where his father Charles Bidwill was the owner of the Chicago Cardinals. When Charles died, Bill's mother Violet Bidwill ran the franchise and moved the Cardinals to St. Louis. During this time Bill served with the U.S. Navy until he returned to St. Louis in 1956 partially inheriting the Cardinals with his brother Charles Bidwill jr. In 1972 Bill purchased the franchise outright and in 1987, lacking the financial support of most fans to build a new stadium he moved the Cardinals to Arizona. In 2006 Bidwill finally was able to open University of Phoenix Stadium and the Cardinals permanent residence. In late years Bill has ceded most control to his sons Michael and Bill jr. Bill Sr. recently became the longest-tenured owner in the NFL.