The ruling shed light on how the team falsely accused McDonough of various damaging actions after he pursued an arbitration claim over his termination. The Cardinals falsely alleged that McDonough had abandoned his responsibility towards his daughter and even accused him of "extreme domestic violence."

The court awarded McDonough $750,000 in compensatory damages, acknowledging the harm caused by the falsehoods, and imposed an additional $2.25 million in punitive damages. Although the ruling absolved the team of retaliatory firing towards McDonough for his reluctance to use a burner phone during former General Manager Steve Keim's suspension for DUI, it did highlight that the Cardinals themselves had utilized burner phones to communicate with Keim during his suspension.

The question now arises as to whether these findings will prompt disciplinary actions against team owner Michael Bidwill and/or the organization as a whole. The ruling clearly places responsibility for the defamatory statements on the Cardinals, as they had hired the PR executive who drafted and released the harmful allegations. Hence, Bidwill's ownership ties the organization to the intentional tort committed against McDonough.

The NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, applicable to non-players, outlines prohibited actions, two of which potentially apply to this case. The policy specifically targets "stalking, harassment, or similar forms of intimidation." It also includes a catch-all provision concerning "conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of, or public confidence in, the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel."

The deliberate and false accusations made against McDonough undoubtedly fall within the definition of harassment or similar forms of intimidation. The Cardinals' objective was to discredit McDonough for pursuing his legal claim, hoping he would abandon it. Furthermore, this behavior severely undermines the integrity of the NFL, the Cardinals, and Bidwill himself.

Despite the significant punitive damages awarded, it is essential to note that this ruling does not imply punishment under the Personal Conduct Policy but rather as a result of the arbitration process. It potentially raises concerns regarding the league's stance on personal conduct, particularly with regard to owners' accountability. If a player engaged in similar behavior resulting in the same financial penalty, it would likely draw the league's attention.

Bidwill's team, driven by their desire to diminish McDonough, intentionally fabricated malicious lies about him. The arbitrator's decision to award a substantial sum of $3 million signifies the severity of their actions. The question remains as to why Bidwill himself has not faced any repercussions under the Personal Conduct Policy.

Additionally, the use of burner phones by the Cardinals during Keim's suspension presents a separate issue. This act clearly violated the terms of his suspension, indicating a deliberate circumvention. A thorough investigation, followed by appropriate punishment for this violation, would be expected.

The upcoming actions of the NFL regarding these matters will be closely watched. A failure to take action against Bidwill would further reinforce the existence of a double standard when it comes to personal conduct within the league, with players facing stricter consequences than owners. Similarly, if no action is taken against the violation of Keim's suspension through the use of burner phones, it would demonstrate inconsistent standards for disciplinary actions against teams that infringe upon league rules.

The outcome of the Cardinals' defamation lawsuit against Terry McDonough reflects a concerning issue within the NFL. Transparency, consistency, and accountability are vital to ensuring that personal conduct standards are upheld across all levels of the league.