Ten years is not a long time for almost anything in life. But for the Bills organization under the leadership of Terry and Kim Pegula this past decade, it has been transformational.
October 8, 2014, was the date when the franchise officially changed hands from its late founder, Ralph Wilson Jr. to Terry and Kim Pegula. When the Pegulas secured ownership of the franchise with a unanimous approval vote from the 31 other members clubs of the NFL, it lifted the threat of the club relocating that had enveloped the team and its fan base for the better part of the previous quarter century.
"Obviously there were other bidders, but the Pegulas had everything we were looking for," said Mary Wilson, of when she was part of the ownership transfer process. "We knew that they cared about Buffalo. They had commitment to the area with the Sabres. Kim was from the area. We were so fortunate that they were committed to buying it."
With that enormous weight lifted, the Pegulas set out to deal with the monumental task of sorting through all that they had inherited. As a small market franchise, the revenue streams were more limited than in some of the league's larger cities. Mr. Wilson and his business executives had to get creative to generate more revenue. Thus, the Bills Toronto Series was born in 2007.
But knowing all the added consternation and anxiety it caused amongst the fan base, it was one of the first things the Pegulas abruptly terminated.
"I thought one of the best things they did was, right out of the gate was say, 'We're not playing in Toronto anymore. Thank you,'" said NFL Network reporter and columnist, Judy Battista. "That was fun, but we're not doing that anymore. And that sort of threat was removed."
Once the Pegulas hired Sean McDermott, the Bills ultimately got the stabilizing force they wanted in a head coach.
Not only did McDermott exponentially raise the level of the football operation, but he also improved the image of an organization that had been an also ran for almost two decades. Joined soon after his hiring by new general manager Brandon Beane, the Pegulas had an executive tandem that was firmly in lock step.
In McDermott's first year as head coach, he jettisoned some of the biggest names on the roster and got the team to the playoffs anyway for the first time since 1999.
"I don't think I've ever cried at a sporting event, but I might have shed a tear that day because I knew it was a long 17 years, long 17 years," said Hall of Famer, Thurman Thomas, who was at the Bills' Week 17 game in Miami and watched the Baltimore vs. Cincinnati game immediately after. "To do it against the Dolphins… we were there. It was really special."
The days of the coaching carousel had come to an end. Draft picks were not only talented but were becoming even better players under the tutelage of the coaching staff. The club's league image was on the upswing and would soon skyrocket after the team drafted QB Josh Allen in 2018.
"Drafting Josh Allen in '18 and then his growth through the years, it's just been a fun journey to this point," said McDermott. "A lot of highs certainly some lows. But through it all. Terry, Kim, the Pegula family overall has been so supportive. And I know I couldn't ask for anything more. And I'm sure the fans of Western New York agree."
Playoff runs became the norm, but instead of sitting back and enjoying the success, the Pegulas reinvested in their player roster.
"It's dramatically different and in a good way," said Bills Chief Operating Officer, Pete Guelli, now in his second stint with the Bills. "We were struggling when I was here before. I think the fans were as supportive as they could be, but the performance wasn't necessarily there. The way Terry and his family have turned things around here. It's an incredible story. Four straight AFC East titles and as competitive as they've been and how the fans have responded to that has been really amazing to see."
Take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the best photos from the last 10 years since Terry and Kim Pegula first purchased the Buffalo Bills in October 2014.
Terry Pegula speaks at the Buffalo Bills ownership press conference. October 11, 2014.
Terry and Kim Pegula at Buffalo Bills ownership press conference. October 11, 2014.
Kim Pegula at Buffalo Bills ownership press conference. October 11, 2014.
Pegula Family - Buffalo Bills ownership press conference. October 11, 2014.
Pegula Family at Buffalo Bills ownership press conference. October 11, 2014.
Terry and Kim Pegula at Buffalo Bills ownership press conference. October 11, 2014.
Pegula Family - Buffalo Bills ownership press conference. October 11, 2014.
Terry and Kim Pegula at Buffalo Bills ownership press conference. October 11, 2014.
Terry and Kim Pegula at Buffalo Bills ownership press conference. October 11, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula with Robert Kraft, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula and family are introduced as new owners of the Buffalo Bills, October 12, 2014.
Buffalo Bills owner and CEO Terry Pegula on field at Hard Rock stadium before Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins game, November 13, 2014.
Buffalo Bills owner and CEO Terry Pegula meets Bill Cowher on the field at Hard Rock stadium before warmups at the Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins game, November 13, 2014,
Sean McDermott and Terry Pegula watch locker room television waiting to see if they were making the playoffs following December 31, 2017 game in Miami.
Buffalo Bills players and staff celebrate making the playoffs following December 31, 2017 game in Miami.
Buffalo Bills players and staff celebrate making the playoffs following December 31, 2017 game in Miami.
Buffalo Bills players and staff celebrate making the playoffs following December 31, 2017 game in Miami.
Kim and Terry Pegula with Sean McDermott, Brandon Beane and Buffalo Bills 2018 Draft pick Josh Allen. April 27, 2018
Brandon Beane and Terry Pegula, May 24, 2018.
Kim Pegula, Brandon Beane and Terry Pegula, May 24, 2018.
Terry Pegula, May 24, 2018.
Terry Pegula and Kyle Williams, June 4, 2018.
Terry Pegula, Kim Pegula, Patty Thomas, and Thurman Thomas during the Thurman Thomas jersey retirement ceremony, October 29, 2018.
Kim Pegula and Gordon Kerr, November 7, 2018.
Owner Terry Pegula, Buffalo Bills vs Jacksonville Jaguars at New Era Field, November 25, 2018.
Brandon Beane and Terry Pegula enjoy their phone conversation with Pancho Billa - inside the Buffalo Bills Draft Room at One Bills Drive for Round One of the 2019 NFL Draft, April 25, 2019.
Kim Pegula, Kelly Pegula, inside the Buffalo Bills Draft Room at One Bills Drive for Round One of the 2019 NFL Draft, April 25, 2019.
Kim and Terry Pegula, June 5, 2019.
Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula. Buffalo Bills at New York Jets, September 8, 2019 at MetLife Stadium.
Terry Pegula. Buffalo Bills at New York Jets, September 8, 2019 at MetLife Stadium.
Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula, Buffalo Bills at New York Giants, September 15, 2019 at MetLife Stadium.
Terry and Kim Pegula honor Pancho Billa - Ezra Castro, Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals, September 22, 2019 at New Era Field.
Terry Pegula honors Pancho Billa - Ezra Castro, Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals, September 22, 2019 at New Era Field.
Robert Kraft and Terry Pegula Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots, September 29, 2019 at New Era Field.
Jim Kelly, Terry Pegula, Brandon Beane, Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots at New Era Field, September 29, 2019.
Duke Williams and Terry Pegula, Postgame locker celebration. Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans, October 6, 2019 at Nissan Stadium.
Kim Pegula at a press conference on November 12, 2019 with details of the August 15, 2020 Billy Joel concert at New Era Field.
Buffalo Bills owner Kim Pegula with guests. Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, November 17, 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Buffalo Bills owner Kim Pegula. Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, November 17, 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Kim Pegula, Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos, November 24, 2019 at New Era Field.
Art Rooney II, Al Michaels, Kim Pegula, Terry Pegula and Chris Collinsworth. Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers, December 15, 2019 at Heinz Field.
Terry Pegula with Mike Tirico. Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots, December 21, 2019 at Gillette Stadium.
Mary Wilson and Terry Pegula Buffalo Bills vs Houston Texans - AFC Wild Card playoff, January 4, 2020 at NRG Stadium.
Terry Pegula, Terrance Gray. Buffalo Bills Training Camp Open Practice at Highmark Stadium. July 31, 2021.
Joe Schoen, Dan Marino, Brandon Beane, Terry Pegula. Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, September 19, 2021.
Kim Pegula. Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium, October 18, 2021.
Kim Pegula. Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium on October 31, 2021.
Terry Pegula in the Buffalo Bills Draft Room during Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft at One Bills Drive on April 28, 2022.
Terry Pegula visits the Jefferson Avenue mass-shooting site site, May 19, 2022.
Terry Pegula, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Buffalo Bills Legends, Sabres alumni & staff visit the Jefferson Avenue mass-shooting site, May 19, 2022.
Terry & Kim Pegula, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Buffalo Bills Legends, speak after volunteering at the Resource Council of WNY on East Ferry Street in Buffalo, May 19, 2022.
Matt Pegula, Terry Pegula. Return of the Blue and Red at Highmark Stadium, August 5, 2022.
Kelly Pegula, Laura Pegula and Terry Pegula. Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans, Monday Night Football, Week 2, September 19, 2022 at Highmark Stadium.
Sean McDermott and Terry Pegula at the Buffalo Bills Draft Room during Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft at One Bills Drive on April 27, 2023.
Roger Goodell and Terry Pegula. Groundbreaking ceremony for the New Highmark Stadium on June 5, 2023
Mary Wilson and Terry Pegula. Groundbreaking ceremony for the New Highmark Stadium on June 5, 2023
Terry Pegula speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the New Highmark Stadium on June 5, 2023
Terry Pegula speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the New Highmark Stadium on June 5, 2023
Terry Pegula speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the New Highmark Stadium on June 5, 2023
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the New Highmark Stadium, June 5, 2023.
Terry Pegula with Scranton Prep students and staff at The Return of the Blue and Red, August 4, 2023.
Terry Pegula with Scranton Prep students and staff at The Return of the Blue and Red, August 4, 2023.
Terry Pegula with Scranton Prep students and staff at The Return of the Blue and Red, August 4, 2023.
Josh Allen (17), Senator Charles Schumer, Terry Pegula. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 10, 2023.
Laura Pegula, Terry Pegula and Mark Davis. Buffalo Bills vs Las Vegas Raiders, Regular Season, September 17, 2023 at Highmark Stadium.
Terry Pegula with Buffalo Sabres players. Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins, Regular Season, October 01, 2023 at Highmark Stadium.
Terry Pegula, postgame. Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills, Regular Season, January 07, 2024 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Terry Pegula, Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs, Post Season, January 21, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Sean McDermott and Terry Pegula in the Buffalo Bills Draft Room during Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft at One Bills Drive on April 25, 2024.
Laura Pegula and Pete Guelli in the Buffalo Bills Draft Room during Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft at One Bills Drive on April 25, 2024.
Terry Pegula, Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Organized Team Activity, May 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Terry Pegula, Brandon Beane. Buffalo Bills Mandatory Minicamp, June 11, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Kim and Terry Pegula meet the team at Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 26, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Kim and Terry Pegula meet with the team at Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 26, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Terry Pegula with Scranton Prep students and staff on August 02, 2024 at the 2024 Return of the Blue & Red.
Terry Pegula with Scranton Prep students and staff on August 02, 2024 at the 2024 Return of the Blue & Red.
Terry Pegula with Scranton Prep students and staff on August 02, 2024 at the 2024 Return of the Blue & Red.
Honorary Captain Aadyen, Terry Pegula. Buffalo Bills Return of the Blue & Red, August 02, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Terry Pegula. Buffalo Bills Return of the Blue & Red, August 02, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Terry Pegula greets Khalil Shakir (10), postgame. Buffalo Bills vs Jacksonville Jaguars, Regular Season, September 23, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Terry Pegula greets Damar Hamlin (3), postgame. Buffalo Bills vs Jacksonville Jaguars, Regular Season, September 23, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Terry Pegula, Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills vs Jacksonville Jaguars, Regular Season, September 23, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Terry Pegula and Pete Guelli tour the Highmark Stadium construction site on September 22, 2024.
Terry Pegula and Pete Guelli tour the Highmark Stadium construction site on September 22, 2024.
Terry Pegula and Pete Guelli tour the Highmark Stadium construction site on September 22, 2024.
Terry Pegula tours the Highmark Stadium construction site on September 22, 2024.
Terry Pegula tours the Highmark Stadium construction site on September 22, 2024.
When GM Brandon Beane believed a player would greatly help the team the owners provided the financial resources.
"You see some programs where they're not able to retain a lot of draft picks," said Beane. "They think that they get paid too much money. We can rely on the Pegulas, who are unquestionably into winning. As long as it works within our cap and our cash structure, they'll open up the wallet and do anything. And that's what I think gives us an advantage because I know not all 32 teams have that."
When their front office believed a new training center would be a force multiplier for attracting players and improve player performance with the latest state-of-the-art equipment, treatment facilities, and sports science professionals, they spent $18 million of their own money to make it happen.
"Our facilities here in Buffalo, I think they're top notch," said Josh Allen. "I'd put them up against anybody in the NFL. In terms of our weight room, our training room, our practice facilities, we have all the resources necessary to be a winning organization."
"The vision that Terry and Kim and Brandon and I have had since day one is to make this place, and this environment, one where people can become the best versions of themselves," said McDermott. "On the field, off the field, on the football side, on the business side. And I really feel good about that. I feel like we're heading in the right direction there. One thing to mention is the new facility, the new weight room, and new medical area, the training area, the sports science area. The rehab area. That is to me, second to none. That is a great example of their commitment level and having a higher level of understanding of what the players need to accomplish what they're trying to accomplish on the field."
The Bills are one of only two NFL franchises to reach the postseason in each of the last five seasons along with the Kansas City Chiefs.
But the reach of the Pegulas' ownership has stretched beyond the product on the field. They've wrapped their arms around the community either with the revitalization efforts of downtown Buffalo with their Harbor Center project, or their 'One Buffalo' theme that has since spawned the annual 'Give 716' day of giving that has raised millions for local charities.
Kim Pegula was additionally a leader in creating opportunities for women inside the walls of One Bills Drive and at the league offices.
Kathryn Smith was hired as the league's first female coach in the regular season as she served as a special teams quality control coach beginning in 2016. Since then, several other women have become part of the club's staff in the athletic training, business, personnel, scouting and sports science departments under Pegula ownership.
"There's no question they modernized the business operations of the team. They brought it up to speed with what other teams were doing," said Battista. "And part of the way they did that was they really diversified the people they were hiring. They brought in a lot of people from outside, younger people, certainly more women, just more diversity of thought. She was clearly a driving force behind that, and she also advocated for that at the league level as well. It was important work."
And she effectively created that change all while serving on three different NFL Committees including the NFL's Super Bowl and Major Events Advisory Committee.
But the shining example of the Pegulas' commitment to Buffalo as the home for their NFL franchise is now more visible than ever, as it is being erected across the street from the place the team has called home for 51 years. The fact that a deal on the Bills' new stadium was consummated with assistance from New York State and Erie County was an achievement in and of itself.
"I was a brand-new governor," said New York Governor, and Western New York native, Kathy Hochul. "The 30-year lease was up at that moment, and I had to work hard to negotiate this new stadium. I worked with Terry and Kim and the whole team. I worked with County Executive, Mark Poloncarz. We knew we had to deliver because this is not just a team. It's part of the Buffalo identity, the Western New York identity, the upstate New York identity. This means so much to people. That was something that was deeply personal to me and I had to make sure was accomplished."
"That is the number one thing I think the Pegulas have done as owners," Battista said. "That obviously now means the team is staying in Buffalo. Now that it's been a few years that we've felt convinced that the team is always going to be in Buffalo we sort of forget how every few years that would come up. Especially after Mr. Wilson passed away, and you knew they were going to be new owners. Would a new owner want to move this team? That just felt really tenuous for a long time. And I think that's the number one thing that the Pegulas did was just sort of remove that with this new stadium. It's been a huge accomplishment."
Though the stadium won't be completed until the start of the 2026 season, it has already significantly raised the value of the Bills franchise from the $1.4 billion the Pegulas paid to secure themselves as the owners of the club. Forbes recently valued the franchise at $4.2 billion, and the new stadium will create even greater revenue potential.
"I wish more than anything that when that stadium opens in 2026, I would love for Sean McDermott, Terry, Kim and Josh to walk into it with the Lombardi (trophy)," said Thomas.
"That's obviously our goal," said Terry Pegula. "Me personally, I want to win a Super Bowl for our players, our coaches, our fans. It's time for Buffalo to win a major championship. And, you know… we're close."
