While I was processing the latest signs of dysfunction at one of the league’s most inept franchises in recent years, an email arrived regarding another dysfunctional team.
From ESPN public relations: “Today, ESPN.com released an investigation into the workplace culture of the Arizona Cardinals under owner Michael Bidwill. The team’s work culture has been under scrutiny since April, when a former team leader filed an arbitration claim accusing the team and owner of gross misconduct, including, among other things, discrimination and harassment. Many of the people interviewed by ESPN for the report described a workplace they found abusive and intimidating. Bidwill told ESPN that he is “working to improve the team culture.”
Here is the story. I didn’t read every single word. I read or skimmed everything very carefully to find something new and/or insightful. The only significant new information in the lengthy article comes from the identification of the “young African-American employee” whom Bidwill “cursed and insulted.” . . in a racially motivated manner,” as alleged in former Cardinals manager Terry McDonough’s arbitration lawsuit against the team.
In a statement related to McDonoughs’ claim, former Cardinals coach Steve Wilks identified the employee as Alfonza Knight, who has worked as a scout for the team since 2014. According to three unnamed sources cited by ESPN.com, the incident involved…a parking lot at the team facility. Knight declined to comment.
From McDonough’s claim about the team’s shameful PR attack on McDonough after he submitted it, to comments from former general manager Ron Minegar, to TheAthletic.com’s reporting last month and ESPN’s new article without much real news, one remains Question open. Will the NFL send Mary Jo White or another investigator?
At the moment it seems unlikely. The allegations have not reached the critical mass that requires close scrutiny by the league. Without a crucial piece of evidence to elevate the story to a new level of urgency, everything starts to feel like background noise.
If Knight goes on record and tells a compelling story, it could be the catalyst for a league investigation. That’s the last thing Bidwill should want. An investigator looking for one thing might find something else. In time, it might be enough to force Bidwill.