The Billionaire Behind The Serve: 5 Shocking Facts About Jess Pegula’s Father, Terry Pegula

Terry Pegula, the father of top-ranked American tennis star Jessica "Jess" Pegula, is a name synonymous with American sports ownership and immense, self-made wealth. As of today, December 10, 2025, the Pegula family continues to make headlines, not just for Jess's impressive performances on the WTA Tour, but for the staggering scale of their business empire and recent, deeply personal family updates that have put the billionaire patriarch in the spotlight.

While Jess Pegula is celebrated as one of the world’s finest tennis players—reaching the semifinals of the 2024 US Open and consistently ranking among the elite—her father’s financial clout is what truly sets her apart, often leading to her being dubbed the "world's richest tennis player." The latest news focuses on Terry Pegula's highly visible, nearly $100 million purchase that he used to attend the US Open, alongside important updates regarding his co-owner wife, Kim Pegula, and the management of their expansive sports holdings.

Terry Pegula: A Comprehensive Biography and Profile

Terrence "Terry" Pegula is an American billionaire businessman whose fortune was built in the natural gas and oil industry before he transitioned into becoming one of the most prominent owners in professional sports. His life story is a classic American success tale, culminating in the ownership of two major professional sports franchises.

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• Full Name: Terrence Michael Pegula
• Born: March 27, 1951 (Age 74 in 2025)
• Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Education: Attended Scranton Preparatory School; Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Penn State University.
• Primary Source of Wealth: Oil and Natural Gas. He founded East Resources in 1983 and sold most of its assets to Royal Dutch Shell for $4.7 billion in 2010.
• Current Net Worth (2024): Estimated to be around $8 billion.
• Wife: Kim Pegula (married since 1993). Kim is the co-owner of all Pegula sports properties.
• Children: Five children, including Jessica Pegula (from his second marriage to Kim) and Laura Pegula (from his first marriage), who has worked as an employee in his companies.
• Sports Ownership: Principal owner of the Buffalo Bills (NFL) and Buffalo Sabres (NHL).
• Business Entity: Co-owner and CEO of Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE), which manages the Bills, Sabres, and other properties.

The $8 Billion Empire: From Oil Tycoon to Buffalo Sports King

Terry Pegula's journey to becoming a billionaire is rooted in the energy sector. He started East Resources in 1983, a company that strategically capitalized on the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom. The sale of most of East Resources’ assets in 2010 was the financial cornerstone that allowed him to pivot into sports ownership, fundamentally changing the landscape of Buffalo, New York, sports.

His first major sports acquisition came in 2011 when he purchased the Buffalo Sabres, an NHL team, for $189 million. This was followed by the landmark purchase of the NFL's Buffalo Bills in 2014. The acquisition of the Bills, which he bought for a staggering $1.4 billion, was a deeply emotional move for the region, preventing the team from potentially relocating and cementing the Pegulas as the saviors of Buffalo sports.

The Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE) umbrella now encompasses the Bills, the Sabres, the Buffalo Bandits (NLL), and the Rochester Americans (AHL). This level of local sports dominance is rare, making the Pegula name synonymous with Buffalo pride and passion.

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However, the empire faced significant changes in 2024. Terry Pegula sold a small portion of the Buffalo Bills ownership to a group of 10 limited partners. While the majority ownership remains with the Pegulas, this move was a notable financial restructuring within the organization.

The Latest Headlines: Superyacht, US Open, and Kim Pegula’s Health

The year 2024 brought a fresh wave of public attention to Terry Pegula, blending his personal life, immense wealth, and his daughter’s tennis career in a spectacular fashion. The most talked-about incident occurred during Jess Pegula's run to the US Open semifinals.

The $100 Million Superyacht Entrance

In a move that broke his own "golden rule" of keeping a lower profile, Terry Pegula made a grand entrance at the 2024 US Open. He anchored his nearly $100 million superyacht, named Top Five, in Manhasset Bay, Long Island, specifically to be close to the tournament and watch his daughter compete. The vessel, which is valued at approximately £74 million (or nearly $100 million USD), became a viral talking point, highlighting the extraordinary wealth of the family behind the tennis star. This dramatic display of opulence underscored the unique position Jess Pegula holds in the world of professional tennis.

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Kim Pegula’s Health and Public Appearance

A more somber, yet positive, update involves Terry's wife and Jess's mother, Kim Pegula. In 2023, Kim was declared legally incapacitated following a serious cardiac arrest, with Terry being appointed as her guardian. This heartbreaking family situation has been a significant personal challenge for the entire Pegula family.

However, in July 2024, Kim Pegula made a rare and encouraging public appearance in Buffalo. This moment of recovery and visibility was a significant sign of progress, offering a positive update to the Buffalo sports community that deeply respects her role as co-owner and CEO of Pegula Sports and Entertainment. Kim's involvement, even in a limited capacity, continues to be a source of inspiration, demonstrating the family's resilience.

Jess Pegula: The Tennis Star and Her Billionaire Roots

While Terry Pegula’s wealth is a constant backdrop, Jess Pegula has carved out a formidable career entirely on her own merit, establishing herself as a top-tier WTA player. Her success on the court—reaching multiple Grand Slam quarterfinals and consistently maintaining a high world ranking—is a testament to her dedication, not her family’s fortune.

The narrative of the "world's richest tennis player" is a fascinating juxtaposition. Jess has often spoken about the pressure and unique scrutiny that comes with her family background, yet she manages to keep her focus solely on the game. Her husband, Taylor Gahagen, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, also maintains a lower profile, supporting Jess’s career while the Pegula family navigates the complexities of managing a massive sports and energy empire.

The Pegula family story is one of extraordinary financial success, deep commitment to the city of Buffalo, and now, a very public display of personal resilience in the face of family health crises. Terry Pegula’s influence is undeniable, but the latest updates prove that the family’s legacy is still very much being written, both on the tennis court and in the boardrooms of the NFL and NHL.