Ex-Arizona exec: Owner cheated
Bidwill aimed to skirt GM suspension
Former Arizona Cardinals front office executive Terry McDonough has filed an arbitration claim against the team that accuses owner Michael Bidwill of cheating, according to a person with knowledge of the claim.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the matter is pending the league’s arbitration procedures.
McDonough claims he was eventually demoted after he objected to a scheme that would involve the use of socalled “burner phones” to circumvent the 2018 suspension of then-GM Steve Keim, who had been arrested for DUI.
McDonough, who worked 10 seasons with the Cardinals including several as vice president of player personnel, claims he still has the phone used in the scheme.
His contract was not renewed during Arizona’s recent offseason shakeup.
“Claims he has made in an arbitration filing are wildly false, reckless, and an opportunistic ploy for financial gain,” said Jim McCarthy,external public relations advisor to the Cardinals.
More pro football
The Denver Broncos parted ways with John Elway. Elway was general manager and executive vice president from 2011-21 and
was a consultant to GM George Paton this past season. While Elway did not speak to reporters, he confirmed the news to a Denver TV station and said that the franchise is “in good hands,” under its new ownership.
• The Las Vegas Raiders signed Brian Hoyer as the likely backup to new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Soccer
A group of former players, including Aly Wagner and Brandi Chastain, has joined with an investment firm to bring a National Women’s Soccer League team to the San Francisco. The expansion team will begin play next year.
Tennis
Rafael Nadal pulled out of the clay-court Monte Carlo Masters, saying he is not yet able to compete at the highest level. Nadal has been sidelined with a left hip flexor injury since the Australian Open.
Madison Keys grabbed an early lead and breezed into the second round of the Charleston
Open with a 6-4, 6-3 victory against wild-card entry Emma Navarro in Charleston, S.C.
College football
Simon Fraser, the only Canadian
college with NCAA membership, is shutting down its football program. The school, located in Burnaby, British Columbia, announced the decision in a letter.