Bills, Sabres Co-Owner Kim Pegula Suffered Cardiac Arrest in 2022, Daughter Says

Buffalo Bills and Sabres co-owner Kim Pegula is recovering after going into cardiac arrest last June, her daughter, tennis star Jessica Pegula, revealed Tuesday.

"Today, my mom is still in recovery and although it is the same answer every time someone asks me, it is true, she is improving every day," Jessica Pegula wrote in the Players' Tribune. "She is dealing with significant expressive aphasia and significant memory issues. She can read, write, and understand pretty well, but she has trouble finding the words to respond. It is hard to deal with and it takes a lot of patience to communicate with her, but I thank God every day that we can still communicate with her at all. The doctors continue to be blown away by her recovery, considering where she started, and her determination is the driving force of that."

Rumors regarding Kim Pegula's health issues date back to last year, but her family never spoke publicly about the subject until now.

Kelly Pegula, Jessica's sister, saved their mother's life by administering CPR when she went into cardiac arrest. She had been certified in CPR only three months prior.

Kim Pegula is the first woman to be the president of both an NFL and NHL team. She has been at the forefront of increasing diversity in both leagues, with Jessica Pegula writing "she lived it and loved it."

"She was the shift in culture, positivity, and the heartbeat of many of the employees," Jessica Pegula wrote. "She gave everyone so much of her time and effort. She lived it and loved it, and it was felt by everyone she met. Now we come to the realization that all of that is most likely gone. That she won't be able to be that person anymore."

Jessica Pegula said she felt compelled to come forward and speak publicly in the aftermath of Bills safety Damar Hamlin going into cardiac arrest during a Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Pegula wore a badge with Hamlin's number 3 on her outfits throughout her run to the 2023 Australian Open quarterfinals.