Bill Bidwill

William Vogel Bidwill (July 31, 1931 – October 2, 2019) was an American businessman and the owner of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He had co-owned the team from 1962 for ten seasons with his brother Charles Jr. and had been sole owner from 1972 until his death in 2019.

The team has been owned by the Bidwill family since 1932. Bill’s father, Charles Sr., purchased the then-Chicago Cardinals for $50K (the equivalent of ~$918K in 2018).

Early life and education

Born in Chicago, Bidwill and his elder brother Charles were adopted by Charles and Violet Bidwill, owners of the then-Chicago Cardinals. Bidwill attended Georgetown Preparatory School, then enlisted in the U.S. Navy until 1956. He went to college at Georgetown University, and after his graduation, moved to St. Louis a few months before the Cardinals moved there.

Professional sports Chicago Cardinals Charles Bidwill purchased the team, then known as the Chicago Cardinals, from David Jones in 1933. After his death at age 51 in 1947, his widow authorized business partner Ray Bennigsen to carry on management of the team. Violet Bidwill married St. Louis businessman Walter Wolfner in 1949 and he later became managing director.

St. Louis Cardinals

Prior to the 1960 season, Violet moved the Cardinals to St. Louis. Charles Jr. and Bill inherited the team after their mother's death in January 1962, and served as co-owners for ten seasons, until Bill purchased it outright in 1972. After the death of Ralph Wilson in March 2014, Bidwill became the longest-tenured owner in the NFL.

Death Bidwill died at age 88 on October 2, 2019. At the time of his death, he was the longest tenured owner in the NFL.

Legacy Following an $8,000,000 donation, his son Michael dedicated a new stadium at his alma mater Georgetown Prep named the William V. Bidwill ’49 Stadium. This 1,508 seat stadium is the new home to the Hoyas football, soccer and lacrosse programs.