While the Cardinals struggled to fill Sun Devil Stadium, Bidwill publicly stated that fans would respond in greater numbers if given a better environment. He additionally emphasized that the team could not compete without the revenue streams a new stadium would bring. The Cardinals have sold out all 100 games played at State Farm Stadium (originally University of Phoenix Stadium) since the stadium opened in 2006. They sold out 12 total games in 18 seasons at Sun Devil Stadium. In their first nine seasons at State Farm Stadium, the Cardinals won their conference once, their division three times, earned three playoff berths and finished .500 or better six times. They had two seasons of .500 or better in their first 18 seasons (1988-2006) since their arrival in Arizona from St. Louis. In 2007, Bill Bidwill named Michael as team president and ceded most day-to-day control over the Cardinals to Michael, making his son operating head of the franchise.
