100 of the Most Influential Women in Sport >> Boardroom & Administration

Kim Pegula, USA

CEO and president of Pegula Sports and Entertainment

It’s not hyperbole to suggest Pegula is the most powerful woman in sport. As owner, alongside husband Terry, and president of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, the 49-year-old is in rarefied air. Indeed, the holding company manages Buffalo’s NFL and NHL franchises, the Bills and Sabres, with other American sport properties under their umbrella. She became president of both teams last year after the resignation of Russ Brandon, becoming the first to do so in the history of both leagues. And her position within the American sports empire is very much on merit. As the driving force behind the ‘OneBuffalo’ campaign and accompanying mobile app for enhancing the fan experience for both the Bills and Sabres, the South Korean-born businesswoman has been at the forefront of a phenomenal transformation for not just the franchises, but the city as well. Her fingerprints are clear across both teams and having assumed her new role last year, Pegula is becoming an increasingly important and vocal voice in American sport.

 

– In May of last year, Pegula made history by becoming the first female president in both the NFL and the NHL.

– Pegula’s influence within the NFL continues to grow and last year she expanded her roles after being named to the board of the NFL Foundation in conjunction with serving on the Super Bowl and Special Events committee.

– Women’s issues in the NFL is at the forefront of Pegula’s impact as she has appeared on NFL Network and in press releases regarding the subject.

Did you know…

Pegula’s story is a remarkable one. As a toddler she was found on a street corner in Seoul in front of a police station and was later adopted by a Canadian-born family who moved to New York.

“This isn’t a hobby. We put a lot of time, effort and resources into this. It’s our passion. I’m competitive. And winning is not easy. I wish it was. But figuring out how to do that, that’s our sole focus.” – Kim Pegula (Source: NFL.com)

Twitter: @KimPegula

Instagram: kimpegula