ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — John Roth, chief operating officer and executive vice president of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, was fired by owner Terry Pegula on Wednesday, fewer than three months after being elevated to the position. Kathryn D’Angelo, senior VP/general counsel of the Bills, was also fired Wednesday.
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Three sources with direct knowledge of the decision tell The Athletic that Roth and D’Angelo were in a romantic relationship, and the situation came to a head in London, where the Bills played the Jacksonville Jaguars in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 8.
The Bills’ front office structure was such that D’Angelo reported to owner Terry Pegula. However, Roth possessed superior titles. Roth recommended her promotion, two of the sources said. D’Angelo also was in charge of human resources. As such, the relationship was considered professionally unethical.
Josh Dziurlikowski, previously senior vice president of finance and business administration, will be interim COO, and longtime football operations adviser Jim Overdorf will be acting general counsel during the external search for replacements.
Wednesday’s development was reminiscent of the May 2018 departure of Bills/Sabres president and managing partner Russ Brandon, who resigned after an internal investigation confirmed inappropriate workplace relationships and other on-the-job issues.
(Photo: Geoff Burke / USA Today)