Kim Pegula’s Health Update: Lingering Impact and Effects on Buffalo’s Sports Teams
Kim Pegula, co-owner of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, remains in recovery after suffering a cardiac arrest in June 2022 that resulted in significant brain damage. Nearly three years later, her condition has improved incrementally, but the medical emergency was life-altering. Her daughter, professional tennis player Jessica Pegula, revealed in 2023 that Kim is dealing with expressive aphasia and severe memory loss, conditions that are not only debilitating but typically permanent. While she is no longer in critical condition, Kim Pegula is not expected to regain her previous cognitive or executive capabilities—marking a tragic shift in both her personal life and professional legacy.
The severity of her condition effectively ended her active leadership role in the Pegula sports empire, which includes the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. Her absence has left a lasting void in both organizations. As one of the few female presidents in major American sports, Kim brought a unique perspective and personal investment to day-to-day operations. Her unexpected health crisis forced a rapid transition of leadership, culminating in the dissolution of Pegula Sports and Entertainment in 2023 and a restructuring of the teams as separate entities under Terry Pegula’s sole direction.
The effects have been deeply felt, particularly within the Buffalo Bills organization, where Kim had been actively involved in both administrative and cultural matters. Her vision played a critical role in shaping the club’s stability during a tumultuous time in the NFL. Since her departure from active duties, insiders note that while the team remains competitive, the loss of Kim’s influence has changed internal dynamics. Her incapacitation also sparked urgent succession planning, prompting the transfer of partial ownership to her daughter, Laura Pegula, in order to meet NFL guidelines.
The near-fatal nature of Kim’s condition also sent shockwaves through the sports world, highlighting the fragility of leadership structures built around family ownership. For fans and players alike, it was a stark reminder that even prominent and powerful figures are vulnerable to sudden medical events. The Pegula family has received an outpouring of support, but the reality remains that Kim’s long-term condition may never improve beyond modest gains. The emotional toll has been significant for the Pegulas and has subtly impacted the morale and direction of both franchises.
Despite this, Kim Pegula’s legacy continues to shape the culture of the Bills and Sabres. Her leadership and pioneering role as one of the few women at the helm of an NFL franchise left an indelible mark. While her ongoing recovery is a source of hope, it also underscores the enduring consequences of her medical emergency—both in her personal life and across Buffalo’s beloved sports institutions.
