Cardinals to Pay Former Executive $3M in Defamation Damages

The Arizona Cardinals have been ordered to pay former team executive Terry McDonough $3 million for making "false and defamatory" statements about him, including allegations of spousal abuse and neglecting his disabled daughter. While McDonough sought a larger sum in court, he was awarded $150,000 in general damages, $600,000 for emotional distress, and $2.25 million in punitive damages. The court found the Cardinals' statements to be false, and while McDonough's claim of being prevented from becoming an NFL general manager was not supported, the team's conduct was deemed deserving of punishment.