Fans of struggling sports teams often cycle through various forms of expressing their frustration, and supporters of the Arizona Cardinals, currently 1-4, have reached a notable milestone in their discontent. They’ve now decided to take the unusual step of purchasing billboard space to voice their opinions about team ownership.
As reported by AZFamily, a couple of electronic billboards have sprung up in the Phoenix area, delivering a direct message to owner and team president Michael Bidwill: “SELL THE TEAM. Funded by Cardinals Fans. #BIDWILLOUT.”
It’s a pretty telling sign when fans feel compelled to invest in billboards to get their point across. This campaign emerged largely thanks to Nathan Kropp, who goes by Mr. AZ Sports on social media.
The Cardinals have had a tough season, dropping four consecutive games since their opening win. What especially frustrated Kropp was last weekend’s game at State Farm Stadium, where a number of fans seemed to be supporting the opposing Lions more than their own team. It left him— and surely others— feeling disheartened. Perhaps it’s just that Lions fans happen to travel well, but it certainly didn’t sit right with Kropp or many Cardinals supporters.
Kropp reflected on the uproar following the game, stating, “I’ve never seen the fan base this upset.” After connecting with others who shared his sentiments, he swiftly organized the funding for two electronic billboards.
He mentioned the ongoing struggle of being a Cardinals fan, particularly since the team hasn’t won a postseason game in over ten years, which only adds to the frustration. “They want something to change,” he articulated, highlighting the difficulties faced by loyal fans of the Cardinals.
So, will these billboards actually lead to a change? It seems unlikely, but they certainly put the organization— which did not comment on the billboards— on notice.
