Cardinals Ordered to Pay Millions to Former Exec

The Arizona Cardinals owe a former exec three million dollars.

Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals helmets on the bench against the | Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals are set to pay former executive Terry McDonough $3 million for false and defamatory statements that came from the team, according to ESPN.

"An NFL arbitrator ordered the Arizona Cardinals to pay $3 million to former executive Terry McDonough for 'false and defamatory' statements the team made about him to the media, according to a decision filed in federal court on Monday," wrote Tisha Thompson.

"In a 62-page decision dated March 29, Jeffrey Mishkin, the arbitrator appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, determined the Cardinals and their owner, Michael Bidwill, defamed McDonough 'with malice' in a multi-page statement to media organizations that accused McDonough of spousal abuse and neglect of his disabled adult daughter -- allegations McDonough has denied."

McDonough spent 30 years in the NFL, which included over a decade with Arizona holding ranks such as VP of Player Personnel. He previously came forward with claims that owner Michael Bidwill and former GM Steve Keim broke numerous rules (including use of burner phones to communicate when Keim was suspended by the league) among a plethora of other claims, which prompted the team's response.

More from ESPN:

"According to the arbitration ruling, McDonough sought $15 million in lost future earnings, $10 million for emotional distress, $10 million for reputational harm and $60 to $90 million in punitive damages.

"Mishkin awarded McDonough $150,000 in general damages for "the harm to his reputation" caused by the defamatory statements, $600,000 in damages for emotional distress caused by the defamatory statements and $2.25 million in punitive damages."

There are many, many more details and layers to this entire story from both sides. While we won't dive into the specifics for either side, it's worth a read.