The Buffalo Bills on Wednesday announced a front office reorganization that shifts co-owner Terry Pegula to the role of president and said the team has “parted” with executive vice president and chief operating officer Ron Raccuia.
Terry Pegula’s assumption of the presidency suggests his wife, Kim Pegula, won’t be returning to the role anytime soon. She has not been to the club since her cardiac arrest in June 2022 and continues to recover from brain damage caused by prolonged lack of oxygen. Her eldest daughter, professional tennis player Jessica Pegula, announced in February that her mother still struggled with significant speech and memory problems.
Raccuia’s departure caused a stir in business circles in western New York. The Bills decided to say that she and Raccuia “have broken up,” a phrase that has many wondering how willingly he is dropping out.
After an internal investigation into workplace misconduct forced the resignation of President and CEO Russ Brandon in 2018, Raccuia rose through the ranks in the front office and became the face of the organization throughout the campaign to build a new stadium at Orchard Park. The Bills, New York State and Erie County have struck a deal with an initial cost of $1.4 billion. The state and county are contributing $850 million, with the Pegulas paying a minimum of $550 million plus any overages. The estimate is already up by at least $140 million, and groundbreaking just last month.
With further front office changes, John Roth will be the new Chief Operating Officer. Pegula hired Roth in January as chief operating officer of Pegula Sports and Entertainment and Sabers, roles Roth will retain. Roth, a longtime portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments, has no experience in the sports business. Vice President of Finance Josh Dziurlikowski has been promoted to Senior VP of Finance and Operations, while General Counsel Kathryn D’Angelo now also holds the title of Senior VP of Operations. Penny Semaia, a former associate of the University of Pittsburgh’s athletics department, was hired as vice president of stadium relations.
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