The Arizona Cardinals responded to former front office executive Terry McDonough’s arbitration case, saying it was his «erratic behavior» that «eventually damaged his career.»
Owner Michael Bidwill and the Cardinals issued their response to The Associated Press, detailing instances in which McDonough displayed «volatile behavior.»
McDonough filed an arbitration lawsuit against the Cardinals in April, accusing Bidwill of cheating. McDonough said his objection to a scheme that would involve «throwaway phones» to circumvent general manager Steve Keim’s 2018 suspension following a DUI led to a demotion.
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Owner Michael Bidwill of the Arizona Cardinals before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at State Farm Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
McDonough, who worked in the Cardinals’ front office for a decade, says he still has that disposable phone.
New Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort informed McDonough that he would not be retained when his contract expired in 2024. McDonough signed a new contract in May 2022, which the Cardinals said included «a waiver of all his legal claims.» .
Arizona claims that McDonough requested arbitration «in retaliation» for Ossenfort’s decision not to retain him, and has included claims that «are full of exaggerations and falsehoods about the Cardinals organization and its president.»
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«Mr. McDonough’s presentation is littered with allegations and claims that, while colorful, are not true and do not establish viable legal claims,» the team’s lawyers said, via AP. «Mr. McDonough has held onto this salacious but fictional story since the summer of 2018 and occasionally threatened to go public with it.»
Michael Bidwill, owner of the Arizona Cardinals, speaks during a Super Bowl LVII press conference at the Phoenix Convention Center on February 13, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
As for the disposable phones, lawyers for the team say a «senior soccer executive who is no longer with the organization» was the official who distributed them. Once Bidwill found out, he ordered the phones to be collected immediately.
The Cardinals also cited examples of McDonough’s behavior, including a «livid and outraged» conversation with Bidwill after McDonough was passed over for the GM job with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017.
«The club later learned that Terry made an inappropriate phone call to the 49ers to vent his anger over their decision and then had to call them back, more than once, to apologize,» the lawyers said via AP.
Bidwill also revealed a text conversation he had with McDonough after a confrontation during training camp.
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«What was very disturbing today was the unprofessional and argumentative reaction you had to my comment after the practice of not letting me ‘be an afterthought.’ Bidwill text to McDonough. «You didn’t have to lose your temper.
Owner Michael Bidwill of the Arizona Cardinals speaks during a news conference introducing new head coach Jonathan Gannon at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on February 16, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
«I can’t remember the last time I had that kind of interaction with any member of our staff, let alone an executive. It was juvenile and unbecoming. Sticking your chest out, pointing your finger at me, raising your voice, and repeating yourself in an attempt bullying me into agreeing with you. Telling me to ‘show’ my concern. Really?!»
«I apologize for the interaction today,» McDonough responded. «You’ve been a great advocate and supporter of mine. I have great respect for you… It won’t happen again.»
Bidwill also brought up how McDonough was late the day Kyler Murray, the team’s No. 1 overall pick in 2019, arrived. McDonough was reportedly wearing a T-shirt, cargo shorts and flip-flops, something the owner took issue with. He called it «shameful» and «unacceptable.»
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McDonough wore many hats for the Cardinals in his 10 years in the front office. For the past three seasons, he has been a senior personnel executive. He served as vice president of player personnel from 2014 to 2018.