Buffalo Mourns the Loss of Terry Pegula: Billionaire Bills Co-Owner, Sports Visionary, and Beloved Community Leader Dies at 74

Buffalo Mourns the Loss of Terry Pegula: Billionaire Bills Co-Owner, Sports Visionary, and Beloved Community Leader Dies at 74

Buffalo and the broader sports world are in mourning today following the death of Terry Pegula, the billionaire entrepreneur and transformative co-owner of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. Pegula, 74, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, revitalization, and unshakable commitment to the city he helped redefine.

A Titan of Industry and Steward of Buffalo’s Rebirth

Born on March 27, 1951, in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, Terrence Michael Pegula rose from modest beginnings to become one of the most influential sports and business figures in the nation. After graduating from Penn State University with a degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering, Pegula founded East Resources in 1983. His strategic foresight and timing amid the shale gas boom turned the company into a multi-billion-dollar empire, culminating in a $4.7 billion sale to Royal Dutch Shell in 2010.

But for Pegula, wealth was never the end goal—it was a vehicle for impact.

Champion of Buffalo Sports

In 2011, Pegula made a defining move when he purchased the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, vowing to restore the pride and passion of a once-great franchise. That promise only deepened in 2014 when he and his wife, Kim Pegula, acquired the NFL’s Buffalo Bills for $1.4 billion, securing the team’s future in Western New York amidst national speculation of a potential relocation.

Pegula didn’t just buy teams—he invested in the people, the infrastructure, and the culture surrounding them. Under his stewardship, the Bills entered a new era of competitive resurgence, culminating in multiple playoff appearances and the development of a state-of-the-art stadium set to open in 2026. For Buffalo fans, Pegula was more than an owner—he was a symbol of hope and revitalization.

A Legacy Beyond the Game

Pegula’s contributions extended far beyond the stadium. He and Kim became cornerstone philanthropists in Western New York and beyond, including a transformative $102 million donation to Penn State to build the Pegula Ice Arena, which elevated the university’s hockey program to Division I status.

Despite his public persona, Pegula was known for his humility and quiet resolve. In 2023, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bills’ new stadium, Pegula held back tears as he paid tribute to the victims of the Buffalo mass shooting and acknowledged his wife Kim’s health battle following a 2022 cardiac arrest that left her legally incapacitated.

“Kim, you are my favorite star,” he said, a heartfelt reminder of the personal trials he endured behind the scenes while continuing to lead with strength and purpose.

Outpouring of Tributes

The reaction to Pegula’s passing has been swift and emotional. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement calling Pegula “a steadfast leader who championed the integrity and soul of Buffalo sports.”

Bills quarterback Josh Allen posted on social media: “Forever grateful for everything you gave this team and this city. Rest easy, Mr. Pegula.”

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin said, “Buffalo lost a hero today. He believed in us when few did.”

A Family’s Grief, A City’s Gratitude

Terry Pegula is survived by his wife Kim and their five children, including Jessica Pegula, a world-renowned professional tennis player. The family has requested privacy as they grieve the loss of a beloved husband and father.

In a joint statement, the Pegula family said:

“We are heartbroken by the loss of a man whose life was defined by passion, generosity, and vision. Terry loved Buffalo with all his heart and worked every day to make it better.”

Funeral arrangements and memorial plans will be announced in the coming days. In honor of Pegula’s legacy, the Buffalo Bills and Sabres organizations plan to wear commemorative patches throughout their upcoming seasons.

A Legacy Etched in Buffalo’s Soul

Terry Pegula’s death marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the history of Buffalo sports and community development. His vision turned struggling franchises into beacons of pride, and his commitment to the city was unwavering. More than a businessman, Pegula was a builder—of teams, of dreams, and of hope.

Buffalo will never forget Terry Pegula. His legacy will endure not only in the stadiums that rise under his name but in the spirit of a city forever changed by his belief in it.