TEMPE, Ariz. -- Only in the NFL could a stadium be good enough for the Super Bowl, but not good enough for the team playing host to it.
In keeping with the spirit of the 1995-96 season, the Arizona Cardinals want a new domed facility, or they're probably going to move.
Owner Bill Bidwill should be basking in glory this week, showing off his city to the NFL, celebrating at party after party.
Instead, he's practically in hiding.
Serves Bidwill right.
He blew it.
He should have moved to Baltimore.
Heck, he had two chances. He spurned Baltimore for Phoenix in 1988. And he failed to jump at the Baltimore offer last fall, creating an opening for Art Modell.
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue wouldn't dare admit failure in his beloved Sun Belt, but Phoenix is the next Cleveland.
And, unlike Modell, Bidwill is getting chased out.
Cleveland built a new ballpark, a new arena and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, believing Modell would never leave.
Phoenix will build a retractable-roof, baseball-only park to go with its new downtown arena, showing little concern for Bidwill's problems.
The Cardinals to Cleveland?
"I wouldn't want to comment on that," Bidwill said during a brief outing at the Super Bowl media center Tuesday. "We're pursuing this option here."
He might get more public support if he had a better team, but after firing Buddy Ryan, he needs not only a new stadium, but also a new coach and general manager.
Just a model franchise, those Cardinals.
Modell, at least, spent 34 years in Cleveland. Bidwill has no roots in Phoenix. No wonder he keeps getting shafted in favor of local sports czar Jerry Colangelo, owner of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Colangelo brings teams to Phoenix; Phoenix looks out for Colangelo. A county sales tax will finance the new baseball park. Public funds also helped build the arena that is home to the Suns and future home to the Winnipeg Jets.
Bidwill says he is willing to undertake a public-private partnership for his stadium, but what city is crazy enough to finance two domes?
That is Bidwill's only option -- the legislation for the new ballpark specifically forbids the NFL from using the facility.
Perhaps he should take the hint.
Arizona leaders never guaranteed him a domed stadium, only their "best efforts" to build one. Baltimore did offer a new stadium, but Bidwill chose to share a college facility with Arizona State instead.
