Buffalo Bills and Sabres Fire COO John Roth and General Counsel Kathryn D’Angelo

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – In a surprising turn of events, the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres have fired their Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, John Roth, and their Senior VP/General Counsel, Kathryn D’Angelo. The decision was made by owner Terry Pegula and comes just three months after Roth was promoted to the position. The circumstances surrounding their termination are even more shocking – it has been revealed that Roth and D’Angelo were involved in a romantic relationship, which was deemed professionally unethical.

A Relationship Gone Wrong

The news of Roth and D’Angelo’s relationship came to light during the Bills’ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The situation apparently reached a breaking point, leading to their immediate dismissal. It is unclear how long the relationship had been going on or if it had any impact on their professional duties.

This incident is reminiscent of the 2018 departure of Russ Brandon, the former president and managing partner of the Bills and Sabres. Brandon resigned following an internal investigation that confirmed inappropriate workplace relationships and other on-the-job issues. It seems that the organizations are taking a strong stance against any behavior that could compromise their integrity.

Interim Appointments

With the sudden departure of Roth and D’Angelo, the Bills and Sabres have swiftly made interim appointments to fill their positions. Josh Dziurlikowski, previously the Senior VP of Finance and Business Administration, will take over as the interim COO. Meanwhile, Jim Overdorf, a longtime football operations adviser, will serve as the acting General Counsel during the search for permanent replacements.

These interim appointments will ensure that the day-to-day operations of both teams continue smoothly while the organizations conduct an external search for qualified candidates to fill these crucial roles.

Implications for the Bills and Sabres

The firing of John Roth and Kathryn D’Angelo raises questions about the leadership and culture within the Bills and Sabres organizations. It is essential for both teams to address these concerns promptly and transparently to maintain the trust of their fans and stakeholders.

While the relationship between Roth and D’Angelo may have been consensual, it was considered professionally unethical due to their hierarchical structure. The organizations’ decision to terminate them sends a clear message that they prioritize professionalism and ethical conduct in their workplaces.

As the Bills and Sabres move forward, they must focus on rebuilding their leadership team and ensuring that all employees understand and adhere to the highest standards of professionalism. This incident serves as a reminder that personal relationships in the workplace can have far-reaching consequences and must be handled with caution.

Conclusion

The firing of John Roth and Kathryn D’Angelo from their positions as COO and General Counsel of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, respectively, has sent shockwaves through the sports community. The revelation of their romantic relationship, which was deemed professionally unethical, highlights the importance of maintaining a professional and ethical workplace environment.

The Bills and Sabres have taken swift action by appointing interim replacements while they search for permanent candidates to fill these crucial roles. It is now up to both organizations to address any underlying issues and rebuild their leadership teams to ensure a strong and ethical future.

Ultimately, this incident serves as a reminder to all organizations about the importance of maintaining professionalism and ethical conduct in the workplace, regardless of the industry.

(Photo: Geoff Burke / USA Today)