1 00:00:03,360 --> 00:00:06,439 Speaker 1: It's time for another edition of the Dave Pash Podcast. 2 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:09,840 Speaker 1: I'm your host Arizona Cardinals play by play voice longtime 3 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:14,160 Speaker 1: ESPN announcer Dave Pash. We are presented by bet MGM, 4 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 1: the official sports betting partner of the Arizona Cardinals and 5 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: Hila River Hotels and Casinos. If you want updates on 6 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:26,239 Speaker 1: future guests and also relive some of the moments from 7 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:29,400 Speaker 1: our previous guests, you can follow us on Twitter at 8 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:33,360 Speaker 1: Pash Pod. I grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and I 9 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 1: didn't leave the state until I was eighteen years old, 10 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,960 Speaker 1: when I went away to college at Syracuse University, and 11 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: then after that I worked in markets, primarily on the 12 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 1: East Coast and in the Midwest until moving to Arizona 13 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:46,760 Speaker 1: in two thousand and two. So when I took the 14 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:51,319 Speaker 1: job in Phoenix, I didn't know a ton about the 15 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: inner workings of the organization other than the fact that 16 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:56,920 Speaker 1: they had been in Chicago one point, moved to Saint 17 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:59,279 Speaker 1: Louis and then to Phoenix, and when I got here, 18 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: the Cardinals were still playing at Sundevil Stadium. Fan attendance 19 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: wasn't high, but there was a buzz within the organization 20 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:11,360 Speaker 1: a confidence level internally from the marketing and broadcasting departments 21 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:14,200 Speaker 1: to the football side of the building, and what happened 22 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 1: over the next decade proved that that confidence was merited. 23 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 1: The organization had undergone a major transformation with State Farm Stadium, 24 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: the community involvement expansion, and then being a playoff contender 25 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 1: on a relatively consistent basis. The Cardinals had totally changed, 26 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: and the man behind the transformation is our guest today, 27 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:43,800 Speaker 1: Cardinal's owner Michael Bidwill. A one time ball boy, Michael 28 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,160 Speaker 1: grew up close to the organization, of course, with his 29 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 1: family owning the team, but he spent a good part 30 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: of his adult life outside the organization working as a 31 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: federal prosecutor. He rejoined the team in nineteen ninety six, 32 00:01:58,160 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 1: eventually became president and now owner. We talk about the 33 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 1: state of the NFL, his high expectations for the twenty 34 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:10,639 Speaker 1: twenty one Cardinal season, his love of aviation, and how 35 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 1: that positively impact of the Cardinals. Michael tells some great 36 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:17,080 Speaker 1: stories about some of his favorite players, about all the 37 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 1: time he spent with his dad. He also gets into 38 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: Kyler Murray and his maturity level and J. J. Watton 39 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 1: how that free agent signing went down. So here is 40 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 1: Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell on the Dave Pash Podcast. So, Michael, 41 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:38,920 Speaker 1: with the change to a seventeen game regular season, the 42 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: new TV contracts, it seems like the appetite for NFL 43 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: football as at an all time high. So with that 44 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 1: in mind, what are your thoughts on the state of 45 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:51,240 Speaker 1: the NFL right now going into the twenty twenty one season. Well, Dave, 46 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 1: thank you for the question and thanks for having me on. 47 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:57,880 Speaker 1: I think this podcast is awesome. But to answer the question, 48 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:00,520 Speaker 1: I think the future of the NFL is very, very bright. 49 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:04,919 Speaker 1: We've got ten years of labor stability. We've managed our 50 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:08,519 Speaker 1: way through this pandemic in an unprecedented way. The NFL 51 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 1: was the only league to play every scheduled regular season 52 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: game last year and to play its championship games on 53 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:18,720 Speaker 1: time and on schedule on the original schedule. Nobody thought 54 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 1: we could do it. But it was collectively the players, 55 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 1: the owners, the league office, the officials, the coaches, everybody 56 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:28,080 Speaker 1: you know chipped in and did what they needed to 57 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 1: do to accomplish that. But when you look at that 58 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: stability of having the agreement with the players, the seventeen 59 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 1: game season in the growth of interest with our fans. 60 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 1: We continue to make this it's the greatest game that 61 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 1: there is, and we believe, you know, let's give more 62 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:48,080 Speaker 1: to the fans. So there's more access, more regular season games, 63 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:51,000 Speaker 1: now more of a pathway to the playoffs for teams 64 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:55,080 Speaker 1: with the added wildcard for each conference. So I think 65 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: it's very bright. And you'll just look at some of 66 00:03:56,920 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 1: our ratings, you know, TV ratings around the draft, TV 67 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: ratings around the combine, TV ratings around preseason. You know, 68 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 1: we just blow everybody away, and you know, we continue 69 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 1: to work at making the game more interesting and I 70 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 1: think there are going to be a lot of things 71 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 1: that contributed to that. And I know you're gonna ask 72 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:16,279 Speaker 1: me a little later about legalized sports betting, but my 73 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:18,760 Speaker 1: guests is that will help contribute to interest as well. 74 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,240 Speaker 1: I want to follow up on one of the things 75 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: you said about the NFL being the only league to 76 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:28,279 Speaker 1: not miss a game, and I was part of the 77 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:30,920 Speaker 1: NBA doing an NBA game the night it shut down 78 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:33,159 Speaker 1: and ended up spending some time in the bubble, and 79 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,359 Speaker 1: obviously the NBA took several months off and then started 80 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: the next season late. You guys just plowed right through. 81 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:42,159 Speaker 1: And I'm just curious when you were all having your conversations, 82 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 1: how did that get finalized where you guys all said, 83 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 1: you know what, we're going to just keep plowing ahead 84 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 1: and we'll kind of figure it out. But we owe 85 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 1: it to our fans and our sponsors and the players 86 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:58,520 Speaker 1: to continue as planned. Well, I think it started with 87 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 1: Commissioner Goodell. I mean, Roger just was determined, especially when 88 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:06,359 Speaker 1: people said there's no way we could do it, that 89 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 1: we would find a way. And so doctor Sills is 90 00:05:08,960 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 1: our chief medical officer for the National Football League, all 91 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: the medical community, and then the relationship we have with 92 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 1: an infectious disease specialist at Duke University as well as others, 93 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 1: the relationship that we had and have with the federal 94 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:29,680 Speaker 1: agencies that oversee the CDC and everything else. So we 95 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 1: just worked very hard and then worked with some private 96 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 1: contractors who were going to be able to do testing 97 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:37,159 Speaker 1: for us, and they developed these protocols that there was 98 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:40,599 Speaker 1: a real burden on our players, coaches, staff, but we 99 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 1: tested every day. We knew that we'd have positives, we 100 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:46,119 Speaker 1: just needed to identify them early and eliminate them from 101 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 1: the pool until they were fully recovered and not infectious anymore, 102 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:53,120 Speaker 1: and so they put together a terrific plan. And there 103 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 1: was a plan not only for the players and the 104 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:58,919 Speaker 1: coaches and keeping everybody safe, officials and all the people 105 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:03,479 Speaker 1: that are around them on the field, but also you know, 106 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 1: for fans if we were going to be able to 107 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:07,719 Speaker 1: have fans and some teams, including the Cardinals, were allowed 108 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 1: to have limited number of fans in in the twenty 109 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:12,480 Speaker 1: twenty season. All right, let's focus on twenty twenty one. Now, 110 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: the camp in preseason are over. What are your thoughts 111 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:18,800 Speaker 1: on the state of the team heading into the Tennessee game. Well, 112 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:21,360 Speaker 1: I think I couldn't be more excited about this season 113 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 1: when you look at what we've built here and the 114 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:28,359 Speaker 1: terrific draft. But it started really probably a couple of 115 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:32,240 Speaker 1: years ago drafting Kyler and then last year being able 116 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 1: to trade for DeAndre Hopkins, as well as you know 117 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 1: this year in the offseason signing JJ Watt, trading for 118 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 1: Rodney Hudson, addressing some of these things that we needed 119 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:45,880 Speaker 1: to address on our offensive line, as well as giving 120 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:50,520 Speaker 1: him an additional target with AJ Green. I couldn't be 121 00:06:50,520 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 1: more excited. We need Kyler to further grow and he's 122 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 1: shown a lot of leadership through the offseason and training camp. 123 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:59,080 Speaker 1: But I feel really good about how they've prepared mentally, 124 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:02,679 Speaker 1: so I'm cited about Week one. They're a good team, 125 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 1: the Tennessee Titans, and we're going to know what we're 126 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:09,000 Speaker 1: made of and I'm excited to get that going. What 127 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: are your expectations, because I assume as an owner, your 128 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 1: expectation every years to win the Super Bowl, and if 129 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:19,960 Speaker 1: you don't, then it's a disappointing outcome because everybody wants 130 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 1: to win the title. Obviously, it's only one out of 131 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 1: thirty two. So what are your expectations for this particular year. Well, 132 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 1: I think every year the goal is to win the 133 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:29,480 Speaker 1: division and then to stay hot through January and get 134 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 1: yourself to the super Bowl. And we've done that once before. 135 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:36,080 Speaker 1: We came short in twenty fifteen. But I feel like 136 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:38,960 Speaker 1: we've got a team with We've really strengthened that defense, 137 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:41,640 Speaker 1: we've strengthened the offense, and a lot of it is 138 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 1: about staying healthy, making sure we manage ourselves through the 139 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 1: pandemic because we're still in it. We know they're going 140 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 1: to be additional infections this year, but again, we'll be 141 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 1: testing and isolating, and we've got everybody vaccinated. Only one 142 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 1: players not vaccinated with us. But I think we've got 143 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:59,960 Speaker 1: a really good plan going forward. Now we got to 144 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 1: and execute and stay healthy. And it was clear that 145 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:06,640 Speaker 1: part of the plan was to improve the leadership and 146 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 1: accountability in the locker room. How did you go about 147 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 1: plotting that out? And you talked about the signing of 148 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 1: JJ Watt obviously that was important, but how did you 149 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 1: and Steve Kime come up with the idea, Okay, this 150 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,559 Speaker 1: is how we want to plot this out and plan 151 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 1: to improve the locker room. Well, I think it's about, 152 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:27,280 Speaker 1: you know, growing the young leaders that we have, Buddha Baker, 153 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 1: Chandler Jones, There's so many great leaders that we have 154 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 1: on this team, and then making sure as we bring 155 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:35,840 Speaker 1: in new leaders you know DeAndre from a year ago, 156 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 1: j Rodney Hudson, they're all doing a terrific job. And 157 00:08:39,800 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 1: then we make sure you know that we're asking the 158 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 1: coaches to make sure that they're leaders in each one 159 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: of those rooms. And they're doing it anyway, but we're 160 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 1: really putting in an emphasis on it from top to bottom, 161 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:51,720 Speaker 1: and I think it's really showed and it's given the 162 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 1: space for those young leaders to speak up and to 163 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,440 Speaker 1: be able to speak to their teammates. And I think 164 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:00,760 Speaker 1: Kyler showed a lot of leadership. You know, in his 165 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:03,079 Speaker 1: third year he needed to get comfortable, and he's gotten 166 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: comfortable holding his teammates accountable. Why do you think, I 167 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:09,640 Speaker 1: want to follow up on your comment on Kyler in 168 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 1: what areas have you seen him grow? Why do you 169 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 1: think it took till now maybe to be a little 170 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 1: bit more vocal. Well, I think you know, it's natural 171 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:20,680 Speaker 1: with any young player coming in, it's got to be 172 00:09:20,679 --> 00:09:23,439 Speaker 1: an intimidating situation. You come in and you know, twenty 173 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 1: two years old and you're expected to be the leader 174 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 1: of the entire team, not just one side of the ball, 175 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:30,439 Speaker 1: and it's going to take a little bit of time. 176 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 1: And so I think he's done that. He's done a 177 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 1: good job. He's organized things in Dallas where in the 178 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 1: off season he's been communicating with his teammates, and then 179 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: certainly a training camp, he's been holding them accountable out 180 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:45,280 Speaker 1: on the practice field and you can see it and 181 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 1: talking to his receivers, talking to his offensive lineman, talking 182 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 1: to his running backs. You guys have done a great 183 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 1: job of keeping things quiet. It's amazing because nowadays it's 184 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 1: hard when you have a major trade or a major 185 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: free agent signing in any sport for schefter or woj 186 00:10:02,559 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 1: in the NBA to not get it. But the DeAndre 187 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 1: Hopkins moved last year and the JJ Watt signing, it 188 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:13,600 Speaker 1: didn't leak right. How did you guys execute the JJ 189 00:10:13,800 --> 00:10:16,560 Speaker 1: Watt move? Well? I think part of it was it 190 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,200 Speaker 1: was important for JJ that he wanted to, you know, 191 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 1: keep things buttoned up, and that's sort of our m oh, 192 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:24,079 Speaker 1: that's how we operate. It's like, why talk about it 193 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:27,439 Speaker 1: until it's happened, because you're just gonna let people down 194 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 1: if something big like that doesn't happen, And so we 195 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:33,080 Speaker 1: keep our mouths shut, and it's on a need to 196 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 1: know basis internally sometimes just with Steve and me and 197 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 1: nobody else knows until they need to know, and we'll 198 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 1: bring coach in the loop, knowing that he was probably 199 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:44,160 Speaker 1: going to be all for it, which he was with 200 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 1: both hop and JJ, and so it was super important 201 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:51,600 Speaker 1: to them that the announcement. You know, it was important 202 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:53,559 Speaker 1: to JJ that he made his announcement, and it was 203 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:55,920 Speaker 1: important to the Texans when we did the trade that 204 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:57,800 Speaker 1: we just decided we're going to keep this buttoned up 205 00:10:57,840 --> 00:11:00,560 Speaker 1: and we keep our end of the deal. Is the 206 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:03,360 Speaker 1: presence of JJ Watton noticeable for you? I know in 207 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 1: talking with some of the coaches, they say, man, when 208 00:11:06,760 --> 00:11:09,600 Speaker 1: JJ walks in, everybody kind of stands at attention, Like 209 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:11,960 Speaker 1: there's a major difference now in the locker room because 210 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 1: the respect that he has, the respect and I think, 211 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:19,080 Speaker 1: you know, his presence of what he does on the field, 212 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:22,680 Speaker 1: and he's very vocal and he doesn't you know, he 213 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:26,560 Speaker 1: doesn't suffer fools, and he speaks the way he speaks 214 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:30,200 Speaker 1: his mind. And I also think with him being injured 215 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 1: through part of camp, he wasn't on the practice field, 216 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:34,319 Speaker 1: but you know, the last week or so, he's been 217 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:36,600 Speaker 1: on the practice field and you can definitely see the 218 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:38,560 Speaker 1: intensity picked up. And this is when we need it 219 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:40,760 Speaker 1: as we go into week one of the regular season. 220 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 1: I love the story from draft night when you flew 221 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 1: Zavan Collins to let him see his hometown from up above, 222 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 1: and then going from the small town in Oklahoma to Arizona, 223 00:11:54,679 --> 00:11:57,800 Speaker 1: going from Tulsa to the NFL, and I know it's 224 00:11:57,800 --> 00:11:59,679 Speaker 1: something you've done and maybe not a lot of its 225 00:11:59,679 --> 00:12:02,040 Speaker 1: public in terms of just how much you assist players 226 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:04,960 Speaker 1: or whether it's just members of the organization with personal 227 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:08,800 Speaker 1: needs or for business purposes. You're always flying. When did 228 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:12,920 Speaker 1: that passion start? And is this what you envisioned in 229 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:15,320 Speaker 1: terms of how it's played out as the owner of 230 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,840 Speaker 1: the Cardinals? It no, I mean it started out when 231 00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 1: I was a little kid, just loving airplanes and liking 232 00:12:21,880 --> 00:12:25,079 Speaker 1: going with my father on road trips. He would take me. 233 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:27,600 Speaker 1: I was a good traveler, he told me. I showed 234 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:30,920 Speaker 1: up on time and would pack myself and everything else, 235 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 1: and could get my little tie on and everything and 236 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:35,360 Speaker 1: go around as a little dude and then sit at 237 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:37,240 Speaker 1: the table and not complain when he was out with 238 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 1: other owners. And so I just love going and he'd 239 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:42,160 Speaker 1: tell me what kind of plane we were on, and 240 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:45,719 Speaker 1: so I loved, you know, aviation, from early age. His 241 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 1: good friend and longtime lawyer back in Saint Louis purchased 242 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:58,199 Speaker 1: a small twin Cessna airplane when I was eighteen, and 243 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:00,320 Speaker 1: he said, Bill, I don't need the whole air plane. 244 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: Do you want half to buy it? Half of the 245 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 1: airplane with me? And so Dad came home and told 246 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:07,080 Speaker 1: us about it one night, and you know, of course, 247 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:08,720 Speaker 1: the first things out of my mouth, well, how many 248 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 1: pilots on that airplane? Dad, Well, it just needs one. 249 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 1: It's a small airplane. Well what happens if that pilot 250 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: has a heart attack? I think one of us should 251 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:19,199 Speaker 1: be able to fly. And he said, yeah, that's probably 252 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:21,840 Speaker 1: a good idea. So the next morning, my older brother, 253 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 1: Bill Junior, and I went and signed up for flying lessons, 254 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 1: and I've kind of stuck with it and worked up 255 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 1: from single engine to multi engine to now jets, and 256 00:13:30,559 --> 00:13:34,200 Speaker 1: actually got my helicopter rating in college. Despite him saying, no, 257 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 1: you can't, I went and did it anyway, and then 258 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:39,360 Speaker 1: told him about it the day I got my license 259 00:13:39,440 --> 00:13:41,200 Speaker 1: and he said, okay, that's fine, but just don't take 260 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:44,959 Speaker 1: your younger brother up. And so anyways, but no, it 261 00:13:45,280 --> 00:13:48,320 Speaker 1: started back then and work my way up to where 262 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 1: when I joined the team back in the in the 263 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:55,560 Speaker 1: mid nineties, I was going to NFL meetings with my 264 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 1: father and we you know, he was so recognizable at 265 00:13:58,040 --> 00:14:01,320 Speaker 1: the time, we couldn't really have conversation and on the 266 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:04,880 Speaker 1: airlines about the content of those meetings, and so it 267 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:06,920 Speaker 1: was like, you know, really for you know, so that 268 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:09,079 Speaker 1: we can have more effective time of our travel time 269 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:11,920 Speaker 1: outside the office. We ended up purchasing a small corporate 270 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:14,600 Speaker 1: jet and I started flying it then and worked our 271 00:14:14,640 --> 00:14:16,280 Speaker 1: way up. But it's been my pleasure. I mean, there 272 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:18,360 Speaker 1: are a few things you can do, and making this 273 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 1: a special day for our our top picks and uh 274 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 1: and and also when people lose a loved one, you know, 275 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:26,160 Speaker 1: and we're on a tight football schedule, if I can 276 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 1: send a coach out and our player out and get 277 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 1: them back so they can be with their family, be 278 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 1: at a ceremony and in a funeral and then back here. Um, 279 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:36,320 Speaker 1: you know, I try to do those things for our 280 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:38,800 Speaker 1: folks because it's it's it's a time when they you know, 281 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 1: they need to be here, but they also need to 282 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 1: be home. And if we can squeeze down the time 283 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 1: by just getting them in and out and back here, 284 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 1: you know, it seems to be the right thing to 285 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: do as well. Michael, you mentioned packing, putting on your tie, 286 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:54,280 Speaker 1: going to the meetings with your dad? Was that? Do 287 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:58,080 Speaker 1: you other early memories of the Cardinals. I assume a 288 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:00,320 Speaker 1: lot of those were with your dad at time of them, 289 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:03,320 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, my earliest memory was Lake Forest 290 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: College where the Cardinals would have training camp. I remember, boy, 291 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 1: I bet it was four or five years old. I mean, 292 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:10,640 Speaker 1: it was not much of a memory there, but I 293 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 1: remember just seeing the training table and realizing we could 294 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 1: eat as much as we wanted, which was not what 295 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:20,800 Speaker 1: happened at home. And so when we got home the 296 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 1: following week and told mom when we want waffles, pancakes, eggs, 297 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:26,960 Speaker 1: you know, and she was like, you get one thing, kid, 298 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 1: So in any case, no, but that's that's my earliest memory, 299 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 1: and we grew up around it, and it was just 300 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:36,640 Speaker 1: special times and being able to spend all that time 301 00:15:36,640 --> 00:15:38,920 Speaker 1: with Dad and around some of these legends that have 302 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 1: been around the Cardinals franchise and legends that are around 303 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 1: the NFL. It's been a real honor to be a 304 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 1: part of it. I have a lot of great memories 305 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 1: of your dad. There were three that really stick out. 306 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 1: The first was when I got hired in two thousand 307 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 1: and two. I was twenty nine years old. I had 308 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:58,480 Speaker 1: done the Bills preseason games, but I was also doing 309 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:02,960 Speaker 1: Syracuse and so I was close with Dick McPherson, who 310 00:16:03,040 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 1: had coached the Patriots at one point. Obviously, coach at Syracuse, 311 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:08,520 Speaker 1: and he knew your dad, and he knew that I 312 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:10,320 Speaker 1: was trying to get the jobs. So I had him 313 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,240 Speaker 1: call your dad and talked to him, and I came 314 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 1: and interviewed that I met you and Ron Minneger and 315 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:17,000 Speaker 1: sat him with your dad for about a half an hour. 316 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:18,680 Speaker 1: One of the first things out of your dad's mouth, 317 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 1: he goes, can you stop having these old retired coaches 318 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 1: call me? And I'm like nervous. He's totally just busting 319 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 1: my chops. But it was hilarious. He went to Georgetown, 320 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 1: I went to Syracuse. So there's the right brother. He 321 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 1: knew that. He brought it up his great friend Val 322 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 1: Pinchback right. He talked a lot about Val, who was 323 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 1: a Syracuse guy who put together the NFL schedule for years. 324 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 1: And another time was in two thousand and four when 325 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: I got hired by ESPN, and you and your dad 326 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 1: were kind enough when I came to you guys said, look, 327 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:52,560 Speaker 1: I want to keep doing the Cardinal Games. I have 328 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:54,360 Speaker 1: this other opportunity. Are you guys okay with this? And 329 00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 1: you guys are yep, don't worry about it. We'll figure 330 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 1: it out. And here we are eighteen years later, So 331 00:16:58,440 --> 00:17:01,280 Speaker 1: I've always appreciated that. And the last one is the 332 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:04,080 Speaker 1: Super Bowl because your dad a lot of times would 333 00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:05,840 Speaker 1: just come sit down and talk. Your dad had a 334 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:10,359 Speaker 1: great knowledge of broadcasting. He loved broadcasting. He knew everything 335 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 1: about radio and television. And he sat down with Wolf 336 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:16,840 Speaker 1: and I right before the Super Bowl and we're almost 337 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 1: late for the bus. Your dad has roll and he 338 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:20,480 Speaker 1: was telling great stories from the old days where but 339 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:22,080 Speaker 1: then Wolf and I kind of looked like, we've got 340 00:17:22,080 --> 00:17:23,440 Speaker 1: to goal, We've got to go. Then I'm like, wait 341 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:25,679 Speaker 1: a second, They're not even without him, So he can 342 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:28,159 Speaker 1: talk as long as he wants. But I had so 343 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 1: many great memories of just being around your dad. A 344 00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:33,240 Speaker 1: great sense of humor would always bust my chops whenever 345 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:35,159 Speaker 1: I saw. He loved to tell stories, and he was 346 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:36,959 Speaker 1: a little bit of our secret weapon. When we were 347 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:40,199 Speaker 1: moving into the new stadium. You may remember this. We 348 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:42,879 Speaker 1: had that relocation process in which we invited all of 349 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 1: our season ticket members to come into the training facility 350 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:50,560 Speaker 1: and select their seats for State Farm Stadium. So when 351 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 1: it was going to open, and so Dad just loved 352 00:17:53,040 --> 00:17:55,600 Speaker 1: to tell stories and we'd have a new group coming 353 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 1: in about every thirty minutes or so, and so I'm like, Dad, 354 00:17:58,600 --> 00:18:00,239 Speaker 1: when you get to the office, can you just go 355 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:02,560 Speaker 1: out to the lobby and be yourself, we'll put And 356 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:04,920 Speaker 1: so he would go out there, and I still here 357 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 1: today from season ticket members remembering, you know, your dad 358 00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:11,479 Speaker 1: not only told me these great stories in the lobby, 359 00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:15,679 Speaker 1: but he also helped me pick out my tickets from 360 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 1: my seat location because we knew approximately what was left 361 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 1: on the day we got our appointment, and he helped 362 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:24,360 Speaker 1: pick the seat. So I hear that from time to time, 363 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:27,360 Speaker 1: and I'm so glad because you know, he was such 364 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:30,960 Speaker 1: a quiet person from you know, a public persona standpoint, 365 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:32,360 Speaker 1: but if you got to know him and you could 366 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:34,400 Speaker 1: just sit down one on one with him, he won 367 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:36,640 Speaker 1: everybody over. And I know all those fans that got 368 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 1: a chance to visit with him back in two thousand 369 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:41,280 Speaker 1: and five, when two thousand and six, when we were 370 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:44,560 Speaker 1: doing that, they were they were pretty Uh. He left 371 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:47,240 Speaker 1: a good impression. I want to get into the stadium, 372 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:49,320 Speaker 1: but I want to go back to you talking about 373 00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:52,040 Speaker 1: your earliest memories as a cardinal. You were a ball boy. 374 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 1: Did you have a favorite player, because you've seen every 375 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:58,560 Speaker 1: single person come through this organization over the last fifty years. 376 00:18:58,840 --> 00:19:02,040 Speaker 1: I think probably you know, all the stars at the time, 377 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:05,920 Speaker 1: probably the one I was, you know, we loved Larry Wilson. 378 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:08,720 Speaker 1: He was such a playmaker. And I remember when we 379 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:12,280 Speaker 1: found out he was going to retire and asking my 380 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:14,160 Speaker 1: dad like, how how are we going to be able 381 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:16,840 Speaker 1: to do this without Larry Wilson being one of the players. 382 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 1: How are we going to be able to win football games? 383 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:21,080 Speaker 1: What's a team going to be like without such a 384 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 1: great player and a great leader. And I know he 385 00:19:24,119 --> 00:19:26,639 Speaker 1: and my dad had a fondness and then he you know, 386 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:29,080 Speaker 1: came to the front office and then later in life 387 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:31,439 Speaker 1: was lucky enough to work with him. So I'd say Larry, 388 00:19:31,560 --> 00:19:36,200 Speaker 1: But you know Dan Dierdorf, Jim Hart, Mel Gray, Otis 389 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:39,160 Speaker 1: Anderson who went and finished his career with the Giants. 390 00:19:40,080 --> 00:19:44,159 Speaker 1: So many different players that were terrific. Pat Tilley was 391 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:49,280 Speaker 1: another receiver. Roy Green came along later in nineteen seventy nine. 392 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:52,520 Speaker 1: But as I grew up and then you know, started 393 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:54,480 Speaker 1: actively working as a ball boy, there were some real 394 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:59,879 Speaker 1: characters too. And I remember one player who played for 395 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:02,400 Speaker 1: I think three seasons with us from like seventy eight 396 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:06,159 Speaker 1: to eighty John Barfield, and this guy referred to himself 397 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:09,399 Speaker 1: as doctor Doom. He was a linebacker and just a character. 398 00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 1: And I just remember in seventy eight we drafted him 399 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 1: in the second round and that you know, I heard 400 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:16,520 Speaker 1: he's going to show up and he wears a quarter 401 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:19,199 Speaker 1: in his ear, which were like, why why would he 402 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:20,879 Speaker 1: wear a quarter in his ear in the case he 403 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,399 Speaker 1: needed change to make a phone power or something. I 404 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:26,000 Speaker 1: don't know, but he always carried this quarter. He was 405 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 1: kind of a quirky guy. But when the drivers were 406 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:31,440 Speaker 1: going to pick him up when he flew in for 407 00:20:31,560 --> 00:20:33,960 Speaker 1: training camp, there was a car crash and to stop 408 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:37,359 Speaker 1: traffic on the freeway and he was able to go 409 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 1: and with just sheer strength probably opened the door and 410 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:43,480 Speaker 1: get these people out of the car. And it was 411 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:45,600 Speaker 1: kind of a local big story at the time that 412 00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:48,320 Speaker 1: here's this big football player saves these folks and they 413 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:50,320 Speaker 1: are able to get him to the hospital and they 414 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:53,359 Speaker 1: were survived and everything. But everything turned out. But there 415 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:56,480 Speaker 1: were lots of great players and lots of great characters. 416 00:20:56,480 --> 00:21:00,640 Speaker 1: There was a Stafford May's David Galloway. There two defensive 417 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:05,160 Speaker 1: lineman and I worked with Rudy Feldman, who was the 418 00:21:05,160 --> 00:21:08,800 Speaker 1: linebackers coach. So we were constantly around the defensive lineman 419 00:21:08,840 --> 00:21:12,720 Speaker 1: and around the linebackers as I was during practice. And 420 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,639 Speaker 1: those were a couple of real characters too, just fun guys. 421 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:21,479 Speaker 1: And you know, the offensive line defensive line terrific leaders 422 00:21:21,520 --> 00:21:24,879 Speaker 1: as well. I mean I remember Dan dieter Dorff's leadership 423 00:21:25,119 --> 00:21:27,480 Speaker 1: was he didn't mess around, and you know when he 424 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:29,440 Speaker 1: put his fist down, and he was pretty vocal guy, 425 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:31,880 Speaker 1: and it was good to have him in our locker 426 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:35,160 Speaker 1: room for sure. You talked about big personalities. I work 427 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:37,720 Speaker 1: with one of those guys, Ron Wolfley. This is your 428 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:40,960 Speaker 1: seventeen working with him, which is crazy. And you've known 429 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 1: wolf forever back then when he was playing. What stood 430 00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:47,960 Speaker 1: out to you about his uniqueness as a player and 431 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:51,320 Speaker 1: as a person? Ron Wolfley total character. We drafted from 432 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:53,879 Speaker 1: nineteen eighty five. I think at that point. I was 433 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:55,760 Speaker 1: no longer a ball boy at that point, but I 434 00:21:55,800 --> 00:21:58,240 Speaker 1: was still around the organization the summers doing other front 435 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:01,880 Speaker 1: office work. But when he got there, you could tell 436 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 1: there's something different about this guy. He had a wild 437 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:07,480 Speaker 1: look about himself, and you know he was all in 438 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:10,000 Speaker 1: on football and all in on being tough, and he 439 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:11,520 Speaker 1: wanted to make a name for himself. So he was 440 00:22:11,560 --> 00:22:15,320 Speaker 1: going full go all the time. And he loved playing 441 00:22:15,359 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 1: special teams. He loved blowing up that wedge. He loved 442 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:21,200 Speaker 1: being a part of all of the you know, the tough, gritty, 443 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 1: nasty parts of the game of football. He was in 444 00:22:24,520 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 1: there sticking his nose, leading from you know, with his 445 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:30,240 Speaker 1: chin on all those plays and just loved the the 446 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:33,359 Speaker 1: you know, the the physical aspects of it. So uh 447 00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:36,479 Speaker 1: and I remember when when the club moved, it was 448 00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 1: he was, I guess the third year at the end 449 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:41,800 Speaker 1: of eighty seven. I was in law school at the time, 450 00:22:41,840 --> 00:22:45,399 Speaker 1: but I heard from my brothers he showed up to 451 00:22:45,480 --> 00:22:49,080 Speaker 1: help pack boxes to move and literally loaded him up 452 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:51,200 Speaker 1: on the truck. I did not know that. Yeah, yeah, 453 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:55,000 Speaker 1: so it doesn't surprise me, knowing Wolf, let's get out 454 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:58,199 Speaker 1: of here. We're going to Phoenix. So he was, you know, 455 00:22:58,480 --> 00:23:01,440 Speaker 1: just a blast. We had you on during one of 456 00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:05,320 Speaker 1: the preseason telecasts, and so fans were watching it, got 457 00:23:05,359 --> 00:23:06,679 Speaker 1: to see it. They won't be able to see it now, 458 00:23:06,680 --> 00:23:09,080 Speaker 1: but they can go check it out. A picture that 459 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:12,520 Speaker 1: Kyler Murray gave to honor your father. Can you tell 460 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:15,080 Speaker 1: us about that and what it was like when they 461 00:23:15,200 --> 00:23:16,960 Speaker 1: presented it to you. How shocked were you when you 462 00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:19,080 Speaker 1: saw it, because it's pretty cool. Yeah. No, So he 463 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:21,080 Speaker 1: dropped it off and it was actually a painting that 464 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:25,040 Speaker 1: he had commissioned of my father with a number of 465 00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:29,840 Speaker 1: former players in it and him. It was it was 466 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:35,119 Speaker 1: very touching. I think, you know, I was blown away 467 00:23:35,119 --> 00:23:40,320 Speaker 1: by it. He had like family friend that that painted 468 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:44,480 Speaker 1: it and just I thought captured my father's expression perfectly. 469 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:49,880 Speaker 1: And actually Dan Dirdorf called me and said he had 470 00:23:49,880 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 1: seen it on flight plan or on our social media 471 00:23:52,720 --> 00:23:56,119 Speaker 1: or something and thought it was just awesome and he 472 00:23:56,200 --> 00:23:57,919 Speaker 1: was honored to be one of the players that was 473 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:02,640 Speaker 1: painted into that that painting. So I told Kyler, I said, look, 474 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 1: I can't think I wanted to talk to my siblings, 475 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:07,920 Speaker 1: but we couldn't think of a better place to hang it. 476 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 1: But we've hung it in our family's suite are loft 477 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:14,720 Speaker 1: at the stadium, So it's hanging up there so those 478 00:24:14,760 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 1: players and Dad can be there with us and celebrate 479 00:24:19,280 --> 00:24:23,560 Speaker 1: all those Cardinals victories. So we moved some other photographs, 480 00:24:23,560 --> 00:24:26,040 Speaker 1: family photographs out of there because we wanted to feel 481 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:29,119 Speaker 1: like real family space and a little bit kind of 482 00:24:29,520 --> 00:24:31,680 Speaker 1: sweet and living room sort of at the same time. 483 00:24:31,720 --> 00:24:33,520 Speaker 1: So it's got a warm feeling to it, and I 484 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:36,639 Speaker 1: think it works perfectly in there. You mentioned law school, 485 00:24:36,720 --> 00:24:40,880 Speaker 1: and for people that maybe are listening that aren't Cardinal fans, 486 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 1: are just NFL fans or sports fans that don't realize 487 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:47,320 Speaker 1: that you were a federal prosecutor and so you were 488 00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 1: not part of the organization your entire adult life, but 489 00:24:50,119 --> 00:24:52,960 Speaker 1: eventually you came back in nineteen ninety six, you became 490 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:56,560 Speaker 1: president and now owner. What went into that decision twenty 491 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:59,680 Speaker 1: five years ago to leave a pretty good gig and 492 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:03,399 Speaker 1: come back to be part of the Cardinals organization. Well, 493 00:25:03,880 --> 00:25:06,960 Speaker 1: you know, my father gave great advice, and normally it 494 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:10,200 Speaker 1: came in, you know, two minute segments. He didn't need 495 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:13,119 Speaker 1: an hour to give his great advice. But I remember 496 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:15,679 Speaker 1: we were playing a preseason or it was a regular 497 00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:20,080 Speaker 1: season game, and it was it was in November of 498 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:23,120 Speaker 1: eighty six, and he said, what are you doing next 499 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:25,719 Speaker 1: year when you graduate? And you know, typical senior I'm like, well, 500 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:30,080 Speaker 1: I don't know, and he you know, and my brother 501 00:25:30,160 --> 00:25:31,720 Speaker 1: was already working for him, and he said, well, I 502 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:33,359 Speaker 1: think one of you one of you kids has got 503 00:25:33,359 --> 00:25:34,960 Speaker 1: to be a lawyer. You should go to law school. 504 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:38,240 Speaker 1: And we talked about it for another maybe thirty seconds. 505 00:25:38,320 --> 00:25:41,600 Speaker 1: Next day I signed up for the LSATs and took him, uh, 506 00:25:41,800 --> 00:25:44,399 Speaker 1: you know, four weeks later and went to law school. 507 00:25:44,760 --> 00:25:46,560 Speaker 1: And my third year of law school, I ended up 508 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:49,080 Speaker 1: clerking at the US Attorney's Office in Washington, d C. 509 00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:52,520 Speaker 1: In the homicide unit. During the time that DC was 510 00:25:52,600 --> 00:25:55,879 Speaker 1: the murder capital of the world, and so it was 511 00:25:55,920 --> 00:26:00,359 Speaker 1: a real wake up and got to see some really tough, 512 00:26:00,440 --> 00:26:03,119 Speaker 1: tough stuff and work on some really tough cases, and 513 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:05,399 Speaker 1: I fell in love with the idea of working in 514 00:26:05,160 --> 00:26:08,080 Speaker 1: this area. So I applied for the position. There was 515 00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:10,840 Speaker 1: an open position out here in Phoenix, and I got 516 00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:12,920 Speaker 1: the job. Spent six years at the US Attorney's Office 517 00:26:12,920 --> 00:26:16,760 Speaker 1: here as a Federal prosecutor the title as Assistant US Attorney, 518 00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:18,600 Speaker 1: so as an a USA for six years in the 519 00:26:18,680 --> 00:26:22,240 Speaker 1: violent crime unit here, and it was much different than 520 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 1: anything I was doing. But one day I woke up 521 00:26:24,280 --> 00:26:26,280 Speaker 1: and you know, it was like, you know, I tried 522 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:29,119 Speaker 1: a bunch of homicide cases and things like that, and 523 00:26:29,160 --> 00:26:32,000 Speaker 1: I realized, you know, I don't feel like I'm growing anymore. 524 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:33,760 Speaker 1: And one day I woke up and realized time for 525 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:36,640 Speaker 1: me to probably move on. So I sat up lunch 526 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:39,879 Speaker 1: with Dad and again another one of those really short conversations, 527 00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:42,679 Speaker 1: and he said, well, you know, I need help with 528 00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:46,880 Speaker 1: the stadium, and so we started talking about it, and 529 00:26:47,080 --> 00:26:51,320 Speaker 1: I put in my notice the next day and went 530 00:26:51,320 --> 00:26:54,000 Speaker 1: to a preseason game that was in August of nineteen 531 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:56,200 Speaker 1: ninety six, and then joined the team in November and 532 00:26:56,680 --> 00:27:00,239 Speaker 1: started working on our stadium effort. Then the organization has 533 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:03,800 Speaker 1: undergone a tremendous transformation and you're at the head of 534 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:06,320 Speaker 1: that over the last twenty five years. And you mentioned 535 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:09,920 Speaker 1: the stadium. I assume that it's on the list when 536 00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:12,520 Speaker 1: you talk about your proudest moments. What are some of 537 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:14,480 Speaker 1: the other ones over the over the twenty five years 538 00:27:14,520 --> 00:27:17,240 Speaker 1: that you've been with the team. Again, well, other than 539 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:19,760 Speaker 1: the last you know, a couple of minutes of that 540 00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:23,119 Speaker 1: game down in Tampa, that was the best game of 541 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:26,160 Speaker 1: my life. Um, but I wish, you know, I wish 542 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:28,360 Speaker 1: we could have gotten right back there and and same 543 00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:31,320 Speaker 1: thing in twenty fifteen. But I think State Farm Stadium, 544 00:27:31,320 --> 00:27:34,480 Speaker 1: the sellouts, we've had, the great memories, the great games 545 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:37,040 Speaker 1: being able to host two and a third Super Bowl 546 00:27:37,440 --> 00:27:40,000 Speaker 1: to come soon, plus getting the Final four here in 547 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:43,040 Speaker 1: another Final four in its way. There's so many great 548 00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 1: memories out there, and then just being able to build 549 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:49,600 Speaker 1: the team and build the culture here. Uh, and it 550 00:27:50,119 --> 00:27:52,600 Speaker 1: was you know, there were as we sort of grew 551 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:56,560 Speaker 1: up with now having the stadium once once we got 552 00:27:56,600 --> 00:27:58,600 Speaker 1: it in two thousand and six, and being able to 553 00:27:58,640 --> 00:28:01,440 Speaker 1: have those revenues and the bill to build things. There 554 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:03,840 Speaker 1: are a lot of great memories. I'm really proud of 555 00:28:03,840 --> 00:28:06,159 Speaker 1: our people. I'm proud of some of the coaches that 556 00:28:06,160 --> 00:28:08,679 Speaker 1: have gone on to become head coaches in the NFL. 557 00:28:08,760 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 1: I'm proud of, uh, you know other other successes that 558 00:28:12,080 --> 00:28:14,760 Speaker 1: we've had with people who've who've left the Cardinals and 559 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:18,720 Speaker 1: gone on to have great success um. And I'm I'm 560 00:28:18,760 --> 00:28:22,280 Speaker 1: just excited about every year having the chance to build 561 00:28:22,320 --> 00:28:25,399 Speaker 1: something which is pretty special, and I think this year 562 00:28:25,480 --> 00:28:28,960 Speaker 1: could be pretty darned special. This draft, the first round, 563 00:28:29,359 --> 00:28:32,280 Speaker 1: you know, Zaven has hit the ground running and he's 564 00:28:32,280 --> 00:28:35,360 Speaker 1: going to be not just a contributor but a leader. Secondly, 565 00:28:35,440 --> 00:28:37,920 Speaker 1: I think he's seeing what roundel Moore has done. Second round, 566 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:41,440 Speaker 1: third round trading for Rodney Hudson, who's plug and play 567 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:46,080 Speaker 1: and really lifted them. The performance that offensive line, and 568 00:28:46,120 --> 00:28:50,200 Speaker 1: then Marco Wilson is just an amazing So this draft, 569 00:28:50,240 --> 00:28:53,280 Speaker 1: when you look at it, uh, you know, in our history, 570 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:54,720 Speaker 1: I think it's going to turn out to be a 571 00:28:54,720 --> 00:28:56,680 Speaker 1: hell of a draft. Plus the free agents we've added, 572 00:28:56,960 --> 00:29:00,960 Speaker 1: you know, AJ and jj Um, we should expect some 573 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:04,040 Speaker 1: great things. And the person I should be talking about 574 00:29:04,080 --> 00:29:07,920 Speaker 1: a lot here is Matt Prator having a great kicker. 575 00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:10,440 Speaker 1: You know, we lost three games by just a few 576 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:13,320 Speaker 1: points field goals last year. Being able to make those 577 00:29:13,440 --> 00:29:16,200 Speaker 1: I mean each year you look at special teams winning 578 00:29:16,640 --> 00:29:20,360 Speaker 1: or perhaps not contributing to a win of three games. 579 00:29:20,360 --> 00:29:23,080 Speaker 1: So I kind of chalk up that Matt Prator is 580 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:26,480 Speaker 1: going to be helping us win three games this year 581 00:29:26,520 --> 00:29:30,160 Speaker 1: at least. The new partnership with bet MGM and the 582 00:29:30,200 --> 00:29:34,680 Speaker 1: long standing relationship with Hila River. For season ticket holders 583 00:29:34,720 --> 00:29:35,959 Speaker 1: or people who are just going to go to an 584 00:29:35,960 --> 00:29:38,400 Speaker 1: occasional game at State Farm Stadium, what will the sports 585 00:29:38,440 --> 00:29:42,120 Speaker 1: betting experience be like for them at State Farm Stadium? Well, 586 00:29:42,120 --> 00:29:47,320 Speaker 1: I think to the extent that fantasy football elevated people's 587 00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:51,840 Speaker 1: interest in the NFL and in players I think sports 588 00:29:51,840 --> 00:29:53,680 Speaker 1: betting is going to do the same thing. It's prevalent 589 00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:58,640 Speaker 1: around the world in Asia, South America, in Europe, and 590 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:01,960 Speaker 1: it's just not been so here in the United States 591 00:30:02,040 --> 00:30:05,840 Speaker 1: until the Supreme Court case struck down a federal law 592 00:30:05,880 --> 00:30:09,200 Speaker 1: and allowed states to begin passing their own statutes. In 593 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:11,960 Speaker 1: Arizona has done that this year. We figured it was 594 00:30:12,080 --> 00:30:14,400 Speaker 1: that the legislature would pass it. It's a good thing 595 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:17,080 Speaker 1: for the state because it expands the gaming compacts with 596 00:30:17,120 --> 00:30:20,280 Speaker 1: the Indian communities here in Arizona. That allows more revenue 597 00:30:20,320 --> 00:30:22,719 Speaker 1: to come to the state to pay for education and 598 00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:25,600 Speaker 1: roads and public safety and things along those lines. But 599 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:29,040 Speaker 1: for football fans, you know, the average bets about ten bucks. 600 00:30:29,120 --> 00:30:31,760 Speaker 1: So to the extent that people are building their fantasy teams, 601 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:35,080 Speaker 1: and you know, moms are playing with kids, and it's 602 00:30:35,160 --> 00:30:37,320 Speaker 1: connecting families in a different way. And now all of 603 00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:40,680 Speaker 1: a sudden, everybody knows. I mean, my nephew knows more 604 00:30:40,720 --> 00:30:43,120 Speaker 1: about some of the other teams and players on other 605 00:30:43,160 --> 00:30:45,360 Speaker 1: teams because he plays fantasy football. I don't have the 606 00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:48,400 Speaker 1: time to do it, but he knows more about some 607 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:50,800 Speaker 1: of the you know, the great players out there in 608 00:30:50,800 --> 00:30:53,360 Speaker 1: the league than I do. Especially the ones outside of 609 00:30:53,360 --> 00:30:57,280 Speaker 1: our conference. But that's going to make that interest. When 610 00:30:57,280 --> 00:30:59,520 Speaker 1: you can have a tenu bet on it, it's gonna 611 00:30:59,520 --> 00:31:01,120 Speaker 1: make it a a little deeper. So I think it's going 612 00:31:01,160 --> 00:31:04,240 Speaker 1: to be really good for the interest, and I think 613 00:31:04,280 --> 00:31:06,960 Speaker 1: it's going to become more acceptable is more and more 614 00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:09,800 Speaker 1: states do this, and as people can choose whether they 615 00:31:09,880 --> 00:31:12,920 Speaker 1: choose to participate in it or not. I won't be 616 00:31:13,480 --> 00:31:16,320 Speaker 1: I just don't bet. And we also have NFL restrictions 617 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:18,640 Speaker 1: that costruct you and me and the players and the coaches, 618 00:31:18,960 --> 00:31:20,760 Speaker 1: So I won't be doing it, but I think it's 619 00:31:20,760 --> 00:31:23,720 Speaker 1: gonna be great for the fans. In twenty nineteen, you 620 00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:26,520 Speaker 1: received the Paul Taglio Award for your leadership in the 621 00:31:26,600 --> 00:31:31,920 Speaker 1: area of career development for minorities and advocating for diversity. 622 00:31:32,440 --> 00:31:35,920 Speaker 1: The Cardinals have been always at the top in terms 623 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:40,960 Speaker 1: of providing opportunities for everybody. I think of early on 624 00:31:41,000 --> 00:31:42,720 Speaker 1: in my tenure here when you had Dennis Screen as 625 00:31:42,720 --> 00:31:45,160 Speaker 1: a head coach and Rod Graves as the general manager. 626 00:31:45,560 --> 00:31:48,200 Speaker 1: Are you seeing the growth and the change around the 627 00:31:48,280 --> 00:31:51,880 Speaker 1: league in terms of diversity that you hope for? Absolutely? 628 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:54,600 Speaker 1: I think we're seeing it. We've we've implemented I'm also 629 00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:58,520 Speaker 1: on the Diversity Committee for the league, and we've implemented 630 00:31:58,600 --> 00:32:02,680 Speaker 1: some new policy that over the last two to three years, 631 00:32:02,680 --> 00:32:06,240 Speaker 1: some pretty big steps we made in terms of those policies, 632 00:32:06,240 --> 00:32:09,640 Speaker 1: and they expand the Rooney rule from just not coaches 633 00:32:09,680 --> 00:32:13,320 Speaker 1: but also general managers, but there are other positions as well, 634 00:32:13,640 --> 00:32:16,360 Speaker 1: and we've really tried to put an emphasis on having 635 00:32:16,400 --> 00:32:20,120 Speaker 1: people step back and think about why wouldn't we have 636 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:23,360 Speaker 1: a diverse pool of applicants for every position we have, 637 00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:27,120 Speaker 1: So we very intentionally are Chief People Officer Sean Mayo 638 00:32:27,720 --> 00:32:33,600 Speaker 1: very intentionally looks for a diverse group of candidates and 639 00:32:33,680 --> 00:32:35,240 Speaker 1: make sure that they can do the job we're asking 640 00:32:35,280 --> 00:32:37,880 Speaker 1: them to do. But we want diversity there, not just 641 00:32:38,200 --> 00:32:40,920 Speaker 1: in terms of color, but also of sex. You know, 642 00:32:41,000 --> 00:32:43,880 Speaker 1: we want women in positions that maybe have traditionally been 643 00:32:43,920 --> 00:32:46,480 Speaker 1: held by men. So we're going to be doing a 644 00:32:46,480 --> 00:32:49,760 Speaker 1: lot of different things and not doing We are doing them, 645 00:32:49,800 --> 00:32:51,440 Speaker 1: but I also think the other teams are doing it, 646 00:32:51,640 --> 00:32:53,920 Speaker 1: and we're being very intentional. We also know, look, the 647 00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:56,160 Speaker 1: NFL leads in a lot of different areas. We see 648 00:32:56,160 --> 00:32:59,280 Speaker 1: other leagues doing it, and we see other industries citing 649 00:32:59,320 --> 00:33:03,040 Speaker 1: the NFL rule. In fact, you see in corporate America. 650 00:33:03,360 --> 00:33:06,719 Speaker 1: They're calling it the ruining rule in corporate Americas. So 651 00:33:06,800 --> 00:33:08,560 Speaker 1: there's a big emphasis and I think we've got to 652 00:33:08,640 --> 00:33:10,840 Speaker 1: lead the way here. Last one and we'll get you 653 00:33:10,840 --> 00:33:13,360 Speaker 1: out of here. You just were added to the NFL 654 00:33:13,400 --> 00:33:17,160 Speaker 1: Owners Committee, which negotiates with the NFL PA. Can you 655 00:33:17,160 --> 00:33:20,680 Speaker 1: talk about that, what that means and what we can expect. Yes, 656 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:22,760 Speaker 1: So we refer to it as the CEC. It's one 657 00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:25,560 Speaker 1: of our big four committees, and I'm honored to be 658 00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:27,440 Speaker 1: on it. It's a limited number of owners that are 659 00:33:27,480 --> 00:33:30,600 Speaker 1: asked to be on that, and and you know, I 660 00:33:30,640 --> 00:33:33,200 Speaker 1: think it's it's going to be great to be able 661 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:35,360 Speaker 1: to be a part of that. You know, there'll be 662 00:33:35,600 --> 00:33:38,320 Speaker 1: things that come up between now and the next extension, 663 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:40,960 Speaker 1: and you know, we'll be working on the next extension, 664 00:33:41,040 --> 00:33:45,320 Speaker 1: probably not the minute before it's going to expire, but 665 00:33:45,520 --> 00:33:48,000 Speaker 1: years in advance. And so it's good that I can 666 00:33:48,000 --> 00:33:50,400 Speaker 1: get up to speed on those issues and begin to 667 00:33:50,440 --> 00:33:52,719 Speaker 1: develop some of the relationships with our you know, the 668 00:33:52,720 --> 00:33:56,240 Speaker 1: players on the other side, and and talk about the 669 00:33:56,240 --> 00:33:58,080 Speaker 1: issues that are important. But I think at the meantime, 670 00:33:58,480 --> 00:34:01,200 Speaker 1: it's about growing the game. There's no doubt that we 671 00:34:01,280 --> 00:34:03,920 Speaker 1: have a bright future. The revenue will grow, the players 672 00:34:03,920 --> 00:34:06,760 Speaker 1: will share in a greater amount of dollars each year, 673 00:34:06,840 --> 00:34:09,880 Speaker 1: especially as we get through this transition time that we 674 00:34:09,960 --> 00:34:13,200 Speaker 1: have with some of the offset for the pandemic costs 675 00:34:14,200 --> 00:34:17,160 Speaker 1: the teams have had to absorb. But I'm looking forward 676 00:34:17,200 --> 00:34:22,719 Speaker 1: to it. Thanks Michael, appreciate the time. Thank you, Dave Man. 677 00:34:22,760 --> 00:34:26,000 Speaker 1: I could have spent another thirty minutes with Michael listening 678 00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:29,840 Speaker 1: to some of those great stories. He is living Cardinal's history. 679 00:34:30,040 --> 00:34:32,640 Speaker 1: He has seen at all every player, every coach that's 680 00:34:32,680 --> 00:34:35,399 Speaker 1: walked through here over the last fifty years. I love 681 00:34:35,680 --> 00:34:39,319 Speaker 1: to hearing about his relationship with his dad, and he 682 00:34:39,400 --> 00:34:42,359 Speaker 1: and I talking about mister b sense of humor and 683 00:34:42,960 --> 00:34:46,280 Speaker 1: maybe that part of his personality that the world didn't 684 00:34:46,320 --> 00:34:48,920 Speaker 1: always get to see, but he was such an engaging 685 00:34:48,960 --> 00:34:51,839 Speaker 1: person once you got to know him. It's clear, too 686 00:34:51,960 --> 00:34:56,160 Speaker 1: listening to Michael that his expectations are very high for 687 00:34:56,200 --> 00:35:00,440 Speaker 1: this year, and they match the fan expectation. Everybody thinks 688 00:35:00,480 --> 00:35:03,440 Speaker 1: the Cardinals should be a playoff team in twenty twenty one, 689 00:35:03,440 --> 00:35:06,000 Speaker 1: and Michael made that clear. The moves that he and 690 00:35:06,040 --> 00:35:11,000 Speaker 1: Steve Kim made in the offseason were designed to get 691 00:35:11,040 --> 00:35:15,120 Speaker 1: this team into the playoffs and win the division. He said, 692 00:35:15,160 --> 00:35:17,400 Speaker 1: that is the first goal, winning the division. So it 693 00:35:17,440 --> 00:35:20,280 Speaker 1: was great to hear Michael's candor and his high hopes 694 00:35:20,520 --> 00:35:24,040 Speaker 1: for twenty twenty one. Coming up later this week, we 695 00:35:24,239 --> 00:35:27,520 Speaker 1: branch out and get a take on the cardinals upcoming 696 00:35:27,520 --> 00:35:31,680 Speaker 1: opponent from somebody in the world of entertainment. Tennessee Titans 697 00:35:31,719 --> 00:35:35,520 Speaker 1: diehard James Rode, who also happens to be an award 698 00:35:35,560 --> 00:35:38,239 Speaker 1: winning actor from the hit TV show psych will join 699 00:35:38,360 --> 00:35:40,959 Speaker 1: us to talk about the upcoming season and much more. 700 00:35:41,440 --> 00:35:44,880 Speaker 1: You can follow us on Twitter at Pashpod and a 701 00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:48,520 Speaker 1: reminder that we are presented by bet MGM, the official 702 00:35:48,600 --> 00:35:51,919 Speaker 1: sports betting partner of the Arizona Cardinals and Hila River 703 00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:56,080 Speaker 1: Hotels and Casinos. Thanks again to Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell. 704 00:35:56,280 --> 00:35:58,400 Speaker 1: I'm Dave Pash. We'll talk to you soon on the 705 00:35:58,480 --> 00:36:03,200 Speaker 1: Dave Pash Podcast.