Glendale unveils road renamed after Arizona Cardinals

PHOENIX — The Arizona Cardinals now have a street named after them.

The city of Glendale unveiled Cardinals Way on Monday, the new name for the street formerly known as Bethany Home Road between 83rd and 99th avenues.

It is adjacent to State Farm Stadium, the team’s home.

“This is a very unique way to recognize an organization that represents Glendale and Arizona in the very best manner,” Mayor Jerry Weiers said during a press conference and reveal of the new street sign.

.@AZCardinals officially have streets named after them! Nearly a two mile stretch along Bethany Home Rd. from 83rd to 99th avenue will he named Cardinals Way. Plus, @ArizonaDOT will add #CardinalsWay signs to the freeways! @KTAR923 🏈 pic.twitter.com/YrlfAmS4g0

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) February 25, 2019

We’re excited to have our name on this stretch of road next to our nest @StateFarmStdm. Thanks @GlendaleAZ! We look forward to working with you in the future. pic.twitter.com/xszzlnNyTD

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) February 25, 2019

Weiers said officials wanted to recognize the Cardinals organization for the economic and community impact it continues to make on the city.

“Cardinals’ charitable and communal works continue to make positive and very large impacts in Arizona,” he said.

Glendale City Council unanimously voted to rename the road last June, when the arena was named University of Phoenix Stadium.

Michael Bidwill, the team’s president, expressed gratitude to everyone that helped make Cardinals Way happen.

“Thank you, we are honored and humbled,” he said during the Monday event. “This is a great honor for us, our fans, and the National Football League.”

In addition to thanking the city, Bidwill touched upon how much his organization and the city have grown together throughout the years.

“There were people that doubted the Cardinals. There were people that doubted Glendale, the West Valley, and what we could do together. Well, look what we’ve made now.”

The Arizona Department of Transportation will change the Bethany Home Road exit signs along the Loop 101 to reflect the new street name starting Friday.

Proud of the partnership City of Glendale, Arizona – Government has built with the Arizona Cardinals culminating in the renaming of Bethany Home Road to Cardinals Way. Commuters on the Loop 101 will start noticing the change along the 101 in a few weeks. #gobigred! #glendaleaz pic.twitter.com/MbhiUHuUsM

— Mayor Jerry Weiers (@MayorWeiers) February 25, 2019

The state is using money from the Maricopa Association of Governments grants to cover the $11,000 cost of the new street signs.

With plenty of undeveloped land in the area, Weiers believes the new signs will continue to boost economic development in the city — while messing with opponents’ heads.

“I believe the renaming of the road will enhance tourism, economic development and area branding for large events held at State Farm Stadium,” Weiers said.

“I also have thought for a long time, can you imagine how the psyche is going to work when these teams keep seeing Cardinals Way, Cardinals Way, as they are driving down the road,” he added.

“We gotta get in their head before the game even starts.”

Follow @Ali_Vetnar