Buffalo Bills and Sabres owner Terry Pegula filled both teams’ vacant chief operating officer positions on Tuesday by hiring Pete Guelli, who returns to his roots after spending the past five years as the New York Giants chief business officer. The 59-year-old Guelli will oversee the business operations of both franchises at a time the NFL's Bills are building a new stadium and the NHL's Sabres are launching renovations to their home arena.
With the Giants, Guelli revamped the team’s business operations, led efforts to sign former quarterback Eli Manning to a role with the franchise and is currently serving on the NFL’s team presidents business optimization committee. “It was hard not to be impressed by the experience and overall business acumen of Pete Guelli,” Pegula said in a statement announcing the hiring. “He is a proven leader with tremendous skills and experience in the sports business landscape,” Pegula added.