You’ve probably seen the "Go Bills" messages scribbled on tennis court cameras by Jessica Pegula. Or maybe you've watched the massive steel frame of a new $2.1 billion stadium rising out of the ground in Orchard Park. Behind all of it—the touchdowns, the Stanley Cup dreams, and the billionaire status—is a story that’s gotten a lot more complicated lately. Terry and Kim Pegula aren't just names on a masthead in Buffalo; they are the people who basically saved professional sports in Western New York, but they’ve had to do it while facing a private nightmare.
Honestly, it’s hard to overstate how much this couple changed the vibe of a whole city. Before they showed up, the Buffalo Bills were constantly rumored to be moving to Toronto. The Sabres were struggling. Then, Terry Pegula, a guy who made billions in the fracking industry with a company called East Resources, walked in with a checkbook and a genuine love for the 716 area code.
The Meeting That Changed Everything
The "how they met" story is kinda legendary in Pennsylvania business circles. It was 1991. Kim was a recent college grad interviewing for a waitress job at a restaurant in Olean, New York. Terry was sitting there, a 39-year-old divorced engineer who had started his own gas company with about $7,500. He ended up offering her a job at his company instead of her getting that waitressing gig.
They married in 1993. From that point on, they weren't just husband and wife; they were a business duo. While Terry had the engineering brain and the capital, Kim became the face and the "connector" for their expanding empire.
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What Really Happened with Kim Pegula?
In June 2022, everything stopped. For months, the family was quiet. People in Buffalo were worried, whispering about why Kim—the first woman to be president of both an NFL and NHL team—had suddenly vanished from the sidelines.
It wasn't until February 2023 that their daughter, tennis star Jessica Pegula, wrote a heartbreaking piece for The Players’ Tribune. She revealed that Kim had suffered a cardiac arrest while asleep. Her other daughter, Kelly, had to perform CPR until paramedics arrived. The lack of oxygen to Kim's brain caused a significant injury.
Kim Pegula was eventually declared legally incapacitated in March 2023.
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It changed the way the teams were run. The umbrella company, Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE), was dissolved. Terry took over as the sole president of the Bills and the Sabres. It was a massive shift from the partnership they had cultivated for decades. Seeing her at a Sabres Hall of Fame induction in early 2025 or breaking down a huddle at training camp is rare now. Those moments are huge for the fans who grew to love her "One Buffalo" spirit.
The Sports Empire in 2026
While the personal side has been heavy, the business side is moving at a breakneck pace. As of early 2026, the new Highmark Stadium is nearly finished. We’re talking about a $2.1 billion project that is roughly 75% complete and on track to open for the 2026 NFL season.
- The Bills: Terry recently sold a 20% stake in the team to a group of private equity investors and athletes like Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. It’s a sign of the times—NFL valuations are so high ($6 billion-plus) that even billionaires sometimes bring in partners to keep things liquid.
- The Sabres: This has been the tougher nut to crack. Terry famously said the Sabres’ reason for existence was to win a Stanley Cup. It hasn't happened yet. In fact, the playoff drought became a major point of frustration for fans, though the Bandits (the lacrosse team they own) have been winning championships like it’s a hobby.
- Family Leadership: With Kim unable to fulfill her previous duties, Terry's daughter from his first marriage, Laura Pegula, has stepped into a much more prominent role. She’s often seen representing the family at league meetings.
The Jessica Pegula Factor
You can't talk about Terry and Kim Pegula without mentioning Jessica. She’s currently one of the top tennis players in the world, and she’s done it while carrying the weight of her mother’s health struggles. She’s been open about how hard it was to play at Wimbledon while her mom was in the ICU.
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Jessica is more than just "the billionaire's daughter" now. She’s a brand ambassador for Hyatt and a consistent threat at Grand Slams. She’s also a bridge for fans to the Pegula family, providing the occasional update on Kim’s recovery and showing that despite the billions, they’re dealing with the same "real life" health scares as anyone else.
The Legacy of the "One Buffalo" Era
So, what’s the takeaway? The Pegulas basically anchored Buffalo’s identity at a time when it could have drifted away. But that stewardship has come at a massive personal cost. Terry is 74 now, and he’s essentially running these massive organizations without his primary partner by his side.
If you’re looking to follow the Pegula story or support the teams, here are a few ways to stay engaged:
- Watch the Stadium Progress: If you’re in Orchard Park, you can see the future of the NFL taking shape. The 2026 season will be the first time the Bills play in a truly modern, world-class venue.
- Support the Foundations: The Pegulas have donated over $100 million to Penn State and millions more to local Buffalo charities. Their philanthropic footprint is arguably bigger than their sports footprint.
- Respect the Privacy: Kim’s recovery is a "one day at a time" situation. While fans want her back on the field, the family has been clear that she’s dealing with significant memory and speech issues (aphasia).
The Pegula era in Buffalo is far from over, but it has definitely entered a new, more somber chapter. It’s a mix of massive commercial success and a very human struggle for health and recovery. That’s why, despite the critics who complain about the Sabres’ record, the city still feels a deep sense of loyalty to the family that decided Buffalo was worth the investment.