Jessica Pegula Eyes Post-Retirement Role in Family’s NFL and NHL Teams

Professional tennis player Jessica Pegula has raised the prospect of joining the family business after her playing career ends, indicating she would welcome a role operating the sports empire built by her family. CNBC reported on June 1 that the world No. 3 tennis star addressed her post-retirement plans and the ownership structure of the family’s major sports properties, which include the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.

Jessica Pegula Weighs A Future Role In Family Sports Operations

Pegula acknowledged that stepping into an operational capacity with the franchises her family owns would present an engaging next chapter once she hangs up her racket. “I can say that if I were to help out with the teams someday, it would be a really interesting thing,” Pegula said during her interview with CNBC. She added that she has consistently envisioned remaining within the sports industry once she moves away from full-time competition.

The family’s footprint across American professional sports stems from the business ventures of Terry Pegula, who accumulated substantial wealth in the oil and gas sector prior to acquiring major franchises. Terry Pegula purchased the Buffalo Sabres in 2011 for $165 million, followed by the acquisition of the Buffalo Bills in 2014 for $1.4 billion. Forbes currently lists Terry Pegula’s net worth at approximately $11.8 billion, driven by the significant appreciation of both sports properties over the past decade.

Family Ownership Plans And The Future Of The Buffalo Franchises

Addressing the long-term status of the two franchises, Jessica Pegula noted that she expects the family to maintain ownership rather than divest. “I don’t think our family would want to sell these teams,” she said, expressing confidence that her father intends for the properties to remain under family stewardship. At the same time, she emphasized that the trajectory of the organizations remains open-ended.

Pegula highlighted the unpredictability of the future by referencing a severe health crisis experienced by her mother, Kim Pegula. “After going through what happened to my mom, we learned you never really know what is going to happen,” she said. Kim Pegula previously served as president and chief executive officer of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, making history as the first female team president in NFL history, before stepping back from executive duties following a cardiac arrest and subsequent brain injury in 2022.

Court Successes And The Timeline Of WTA Tour Milestones

While looking toward potential executive responsibilities, Pegula maintains an active and accomplished presence on the WTA Tour. Over the past four seasons, she has reached 20 tour-level finals, securing nine titles, including four WTA 1000 tournament victories. Her campaign reached a milestone at the 2024 US Open, where she advanced to the singles final. She has also reached the semifinals at Flushing Meadows in consecutive years, falling both times to Aryna Sabalenka.

Whether Pegula transitions from the court to the front office of her family’s sports properties depends entirely on decisions that remain unmade and a timeline dictated by the conclusion of her playing career.