Jessica Pegula has admitted that she could one day take on a role running the Buffalo Bills, opening the door to a future in sports management after her tennis career. The world No. 3, whose parents Terry and Kim Pegula own the NFL franchise and the Buffalo Sabres, has long been interested in remaining involved in sport beyond her playing days.
“I can’t say that wouldn’t be exciting if I got to help out with the organization one day. I always thought that I wanted to be in the sporting world when I was done with tennis,” Pegula said in an interview with CNBC Sport.
The 32-year-old is still firmly focused on her tennis career, having reached the US Open semifinals before losing to Aryna Sabalenka. She also produced a 15-3 record during the North American hard-court swing, reaching the finals in Washington and Cincinnati before heading into the final stretch of the season.
Pegula has since withdrawn from the China Open, joining a growing list of prominent players missing the WTA 1000 in Beijing, including Marta Kostyuk, Alex Eala and Amanda Anisimova. She is expected to return at the Wuhan Open before playing the Ningbo Open, currently her final confirmed tournament of the season.
Pegula could stay in sports after tennis
The possibility of becoming more involved with the Bills would give Pegula a natural path into a world she has known throughout her life. Her family has been involved in professional sports for more than a decade, with Terry and Kim Pegula owning both the Bills and Sabres.
For Pegula, however, the teams represent more than a business. She has previously described their importance to her family and how the organizations brought them closer together.
“I think it’s been an amazing part of our family and a way we’ve grown closer,” Pegula said in a recent interview with CNBC Sport.
Jessica Pegula of USA celebrates her quarter-final victory against Emma Navarro of USA
Her connection to the Bills and Sabres has also taken on a different meaning since her mother suffered a cardiac arrest in 2022. Kim Pegula subsequently dealt with the effects of a brain injury, while Jessica has spoken openly about how difficult that period was for the family.
“That was really tough. She went into cardiac arrest, and that was a lot to deal with. But I think for the most part, we’re on the other end of it now,” she said.
Pegula has since been able to see her mother return to some of the activities she enjoys, including travelling and spending time with the family.
“But now I think she’s able to travel, she’s able to experience things with us, and I think at the end of the day, that’s the most important and the part that we cherish the most, being able to spend time with her and her being able to enjoy things with us again.”
Pegula's results in the North American swing
| Tournament | Result |
| DC Open | Runner-up |
| Canadian Open | Round of 16 |
| Cincinnati Masters | Runner-up |
| US Open | Semifinals |
Tennis remains the priority
For now, though, Pegula's attention remains on completing another successful season. Her run to the US Open semifinals followed a strong summer in North America and leaves her in position to return to the WTA Finals for a fifth consecutive year.
The season-ending event will take place in Indian Wells this year after the end of the WTA's agreement to stage the tournament in Riyadh. Pegula is expected to compete in Wuhan and Ningbo before turning her attention to the final eight-player event of the season.
Her experience away from the court has already influenced how she approaches tennis. During her mother's health crisis, Pegula said competing gave her something to focus on while her family dealt with an extremely difficult situation.
“She’d want me to be out there playing tournaments and competing. So I think, ultimately, tennis really helped me get through that.”
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The long-term future remains less certain. Pegula said she believes her father would like the family's sporting interests to remain within the family, but she also knows that circumstances can change quickly.
“I think my dad, I’m sure, would love to keep it in the family,” the world No. 3 added. “I think we learned that after what happened with my mom, that you never know what’s going to happen.”
For now, that future remains some distance away. Pegula is still competing at the highest level of tennis, but for the first time she has offered a glimpse of what her next career could look like — and the Buffalo Bills could be part of it.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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