Supporters of the Arizona Cardinals, currently holding a 1-4 record, have escalated their expressions of discontent with team ownership, now resorting to purchasing billboard space to convey their message.
Reports indicate that electronic billboards have appeared across the Phoenix area, displaying a direct and unambiguous message aimed at team owner and president Michael Bidwill.
The billboards prominently feature the text:
SELL THE TEAM. Funded by Cardinals Fans. #BIDWILLOUT.
This public display underscores the depth of frustration among the team's fanbase.
Organizing the Protest
The campaign was reportedly spearheaded by Nathan Kropp, widely recognized as Mr. AZ Sports on various social media platforms. The team's recent performance, including four consecutive losses following their season-opening victory, has fueled much of the dissatisfaction.
However, Kropp noted that a pivotal moment prompting his decision to explore billboard advertising was a recent game at State Farm Stadium. He observed that a significant portion of the crowd appeared to be cheering for the opposing team, the Detroit Lions, rather than the home team.
While the strong presence of Lions fans could be attributed to their travel habits, this observation deeply troubled Kropp and many other Cardinals faithful.
“And then I went on X, and people were just completely outraged,” Kropp explained. “Like, I’ve never seen the fan base; I’ve seen the fan base upset.”
Following this experience, Kropp began contacting various parties, and soon, enough dissatisfied fans had rallied to fund not one, but two electronic billboards in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Fan Sentiment and Future Impact
Kropp articulated that one of the most challenging aspects of being a Cardinals fan is the team's perceived stagnation. The franchise has not secured a postseason victory in over a decade, a statistic that weighs heavily on its supporters.
“They want something (to change),” he stated, referring to the fanbase’s desire for significant alterations within the organization. “Like, it’s hard to be a Cardinals fan right now.”
While the billboards may not guarantee immediate changes in team ownership or operational strategies, they undeniably serve to alert the organization to the intense dissatisfaction among its supporters. The Cardinals organization has not issued any public comments regarding the billboard campaign.