Tennis standout Jessica Pegula is one of the current mainstays of the WTA, with a range of impressive performances at some of the world’s largest tournaments. Born on February 24, 1994, in Buffalo, New York, Pegula has earned a reputation for her formidable play, capturing notable titles including various prestigious WTA 1000 events. Her trophy cabinet includes; Montreal’s National Bank Open, Washington D.C.’s Citi Open, and Guadalajara’s Open Akron. Pegula is currently enjoying a career high of world No. 3 in singles, which she may be set to improve with a US Open victory.
American Jessica Pegula is clearly an incredibly talented athlete, but some suggest that she is fortunate to have been afforded the support of a wealthy family, somewhat perpetuating the perception of Tennis as an “old money” sport. While Pegula may certainly be “lucky” to have the backing of one of the United States’ wealthiest families (around $7 Billion Net Worth), the privileges are certainly supplementary to the dedication and passion she has for Tennis as a sport, and her role as a top athlete.
Jessica Pegula with the Cincinnati Open Trophy
Jessica Pegula’s parents, Terry and Kim Pegula, are the owners of the American Football (NFL) team “Buffalo Bills” and Hockey (NHL) team Buffalo Sabres. They have a combined fortune of over $7 Billion, earned through Terry’s exploits in the natural gas industry, and the couple’s combined management of two sports clubs. Together they have three children, Jessica, Kelly, and Matthew, while Terry has two more children, Michael and Laura, with ex-partner Anne Shirley.
Terry Pegula
Terry Pegula with Kim Pegula at The Buffalo Sabres
Terry Pegula’s journey began in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, where he was born into a working-class family. His career in petroleum and natural gas engineering started with a degree from Pennsylvania State University. He founded East Resources in 1983, which grew to become a giant in the oil and gas industry due to strategic investments in the Marcellus Shale. His sale of East Resources’ assets to Royal Dutch Shell and later to American Energy Partners enabled his shift from resource entrepreneurship to sports management.
Terry Pegula’s acquisition of the Buffalo Sabres in 2011 and the Buffalo Bills in 2014 represents a commitment to maintaining professional sports in Buffalo, New York. Terry Pegula headed the investment for the development of the LECOM Harborcenter, a mixed-use sporting complex that has modernised Buffalo’s waterfront. In addition to his sports investments, Terry Pegula is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in education. His donation of $102 million to Pennsylvania State University funded the construction of the Pegula Ice Arena, enabling the university to launch a Division I men’s hockey program. This contribution has had a lasting impact on college hockey across the United States.
Kim Pegula
Kim Pegula’s story is equally unusual and inspiring. She was born on the 7th of June, 1969, in Seoul Korea, just a decade and a half after the end of the Korean War. Kim was adopted by Ralph and Marilyn Kerr of Fairport, New York, at the age of five, after being found abandoned.
Kim Pegula’s rise began with her work for East Resources, the natural gas and oil company owned by her future husband, Terry Pegula. Her role expanded significantly after the couple sold East Resources for billions of dollars, which facilitated their entry into the sports industry. The Pegulas purchased the Buffalo Sabres (NHL) in 2011 and the Buffalo Bills (NFL) in 2014, making Kim a key figure in major league sports. She became President of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, which includes both teams, and under her leadership, she focused not just on the success of the franchises but also on revitalising the city of Buffalo through sports and development projects like the aforementioned LECOM Harborcenter.
Kim Pegula During Work With the Buffalo Bills
Kim Pegula’s approach to team management and corporate culture is notably community-focused and family-oriented. She is recognised as the first woman to be president of both an NHL and NFL team, highlighting her groundbreaking role in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field. According to Jessica’s blog post, “She (Kim) loved to work. She did everything”, while suggesting that Kim always wanted Jessica to take up the mantle as businesswoman “My mom always wanted me to be involved, she wanted me to learn and eventually do what she was doing… but to wait till after Tennis was done”.
In June 2022, Kim faced a major health challenge when she suffered a cardiac arrest, which led to significant neurological impairments due to prolonged oxygen deprivation. Her recovery has involved long-term rehabilitation, focusing on improving her speech and cognitive abilities. The health challenges faced by Kim have surely affected all of the Pegula family, with Jessica Pegula’s blog post in The Player’s Tribune highlighting the difficulties, her emotions, and their shared hopes. The Tennis star wrote “We were all so exhausted” and that she is worried her mother may not “be that person anymore”.
