Kim Pegula's career trajectory was significantly influenced by her chance encounter with Terry Pegula in 1991. While interviewing for a waitressing job at a restaurant in Belfast, New York, Kim struck up a conversation with Terry, who was dining there with his employees from East Resources. 1 Impressed by her, Terry offered Kim a job at his natural gas company, which she accepted. This marked the beginning of their professional and personal relationship, leading to their marriage in 1993. 2

Kim worked at East Resources alongside Terry until the company's sale in 2010. 2 This paved the way for the Pegulas to venture into sports ownership, acquiring the Buffalo Sabres and its affiliated teams shortly after, followed by the purchase of the Buffalo Bills in 2014 for a record $1.4 billion all-cash bid. 3 Kim served as the president and CEO of the holding company Pegula Sports and Entertainment, overseeing the management of these teams and other entertainment assets until its dissolution in 2023. 23

After purchasing the Buffalo Sabres in 2011, the Pegulas acquired the Buffalo Bills in 2014 for a record $1.4 billion all-cash bid, making Kim Pegula a prominent figure in the sports industry. 12 She became the first female president of both an NFL and NHL team, overseeing the day-to-day business operations of the Bills and Sabres. 34

Kim played a pivotal role in the creation of Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE) in 2014, a management company that oversaw the business operations across all Pegula-owned entities, including sports teams, entertainment assets, and the development of LECOM Harborcenter in downtown Buffalo. 35 Under her leadership, PSE helped bring new business opportunities to Buffalo, such as hosting the NHL Combine, the 2016 NHL Draft, the 2018 World Junior Championships, and the 2019 Frozen Four NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament. 32

In June 2022, Kim Pegula suffered a severe cardiac arrest that left her with debilitating health issues, including expressive aphasia and significant memory problems. 12 After a lengthy rehabilitation process, Terry Pegula filed a petition in February 2023 to have Kim ruled legally incapacitated. 3 On March 23, 2023, a judge granted Terry the title of "plenary guardian of the person and property" of his wife, with many of Kim's assets transferred to a trust managed by Terry and his longtime business collaborator, Bob Long. 3

To comply with NFL succession planning policies, Terry transferred a small percentage of the Buffalo Bills to his daughter Laura from his previous marriage shortly after she became his ward. 3 A longtime Pegula family associate confirmed that "Kim is not coming back" to the Bills or Sabres front office due to the severity of her condition. 23 Laura has taken on a more prominent role, representing the Bills at league events and sitting in on executive meetings with team employees. 3