Bills exec Raccuia out after leading stadium talks

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Ron Raccuia, who performed the lead position in negotiating Buffalo’s new $1.54 billion stadium deal, is out because the Payments’ prime government, crew proprietor Terry Pegula introduced on Wednesday.

In saying the edges had parted methods, Pegula cited a monthslong analysis of the crew’s enterprise facet in figuring out a have to “revamp and enhance our construction.” Pegula thanked Raccuia for his a few years of laborious work and dedication and wished him the perfect of luck.

In making the change, Pegula is taking on the position of crew president, which was beforehand held by his spouse. Kim Pegula, who has been away from the crew for the previous 13 months, is coping with important language and reminiscence points after going into cardiac arrest.

As a part of the shakeup, Pegula introduced John Roth will assume Raccuia’s titles as government vice chairman and COO. Roth will now break up his duties between the Payments and the Pegula-owned Buffalo Sabres, the place he has served because the NHL crew’s COO after being employed in January.

Raccuia didn’t return voice and textual content messages left by The Related Press.

Raccuia’s departure is taken into account a shock after he basically oversaw the every day operations of Pegula Sports activities and Leisure, the place he had labored since 2017. He took over as the purpose individual on stadium negotiations after Kim Pegula fell sick.

It was solely six weeks in the past when Raccuia shared the stage with Terry Pegula and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to have a good time the groundbreaking of the Payments’ new stadium, which is being constructed throughout the road from the crew’s current residence. The plan consists of $850 million in public cash, and the stadium is ready to open in time for the 2026 season.

Although the framework of the deal was conditionally accepted in March 2022, the Payments, state and county representatives spent a lot of the next 12 months finalizing the main points, together with a 30-year lease that basically preserves the franchise in Buffalo for the long run.

It is unclear what Pegula known as needing to be revamped and improved upon within the crew’s enterprise construction. Although the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a blow to a lot of the North American sports activities panorama, the Payments have loved a run of success and heightened reputation in profitable three straight AFC East titles.

As a part of the shift to the brand new stadium, the Payments have partnered with Legends — an organization co-owned by Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones and the New York Yankees — to supervise the crew’s introduction of seat ticketing licenses in addition to present meals and beverage companies. The change to Legends Hospitality ends the Payments’ long-standing partnership with Buffalo-based Delaware North.

Roth, who beforehand spent 24 years as an investor and portfolio supervisor at Constancy Investments, will oversee the crew’s ticketing, enterprise growth, and media and content material departments.

In associated promotions, the Payments introduced common counsel Kathryn D’Angelo has added the title of senior vice chairman of enterprise administration; and vice chairman of finance Josh Dziurlikowski will now maintain the title of senior VP of finance and enterprise administration.

The Payments additionally employed College of Pittsburgh senior affiliate athletic director Penny Semaia to function VP of stadium relations.

“We’ve an incredible amongst of confidence on this administration committee we’ve got constructed,” Pegula mentioned. “I’ve had a excessive stage of belief and robust working relationship with John, Kathryn and Josh through the years, and count on them every to efficiently proceed to guide our enterprise operations within the years to come back.”