What happened to Terry McDonough? Why are Cardinals paying ex-VP $3,000,000 in damages?

The Arizona Cardinals will be required to make a substantial payment to Terry McDonough, their former employee. An NFL arbitrator has determined that the former Cardinals executive is entitled to receive $3 million due to the team’s dissemination of “false and defamatory”statements about him to the media.

The Roger Goodell appointed arbitrator Jeffrey Mishkin found that the Arizona Cardinals and their owner, Michael Bidwill, had intentionally defamed McDonough in a 62-page decision dated March 29, 2024, which is outlined in detail in the report.

The comments from Bidwill and the Cardinals allegedly accused McDonough of neglecting his disabled adult daughter and engaging in spousal abuse, both of which McDonough strongly refuted.

After the $3,000,000 arbitration award was announced, McDonough’s attorney, Mike Caspino, issued a statement that read as follows:

“Despite what we consider to be a fundamentally unfair arbitration process, Terry McDonough is the first person ever to win against an NFL owner. Why the NFL has not held Michael Bidwill accountable remains a mystery.”

The Cardinals issue official statement regarding recent events

In response to the ruling, the Arizona Cardinals issued a statement expressing their sentiments towards the award. The statement states:

“We are pleased with the arbitrator’s decision dismissing all of Terry McDonough’s employment claims and finding that there was nothing improper about his dismissal from the team.”

The team assumed responsibility for their original statement.

“As for Mr. McDonough’s other claim, we respect the arbitrator’s determination that our initial statement went too far. We accept responsibility for that statement and are grateful that the arbitration is now resolved.”

The Cardinals’ main priority will be preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft, which is crucial for their ongoing rebuilding efforts. With a disappointing 4-13 record and yet another missed postseason in the 2024 season, the team is determined to make significant improvements through a highly anticipated 2024 NFL Draft, particularly in the wide receiver position.

Details of Terry McDonough’s $3,000,000 compensation package

Prior to the procedure, Terry McDonough requested $15 million for lost future earnings, $10 million for reputational harm, $10 million for emotional distress, and $60 million to $90 million in punitive damages.

Despite the defamatory statements, the former executive was granted $600,000 in damages for the emotional distress inflicted upon him, $150,000 in general damages for the damage to his reputation caused by the statements, and a further $2.25 million in punitive damages.

This brings an end to one of the most heated disputes between a former NFL executive and his previous team in recent history.