Over and out
Brandon resigns as Bills, Sabres president
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. —
Russ Brandon abruptly resigned his dual role as president of the NFL Buffalo Bills and NHL Buffalo Sabres in a major shake-up for the teams’ owners, Terry and
Kim Pegula.
The Pegulas announced in a press release on Tuesday that they accepted Brandon’s resignation Tuesday afternoon.
Kim Pegula will take over Brandon’s roles overseeing the Bills, Sabres and Pegula Sports Entertainment, the company that controls the owners’ numerous holdings. The Pegulas provided no reason for Brandon’s departure after a 20-year tenure that started with the Bills.
In a text to The Associated Press, Brandon would only say he has contemplated stepping down from the job for some time, and felt the timing was right after the conclusion of the NFL draft.
“My goal when the Pegulas purchased the franchise was to reach 20 years with the Bills, in which I achieved this past November,” Brandon wrote.
“As grateful as I am for the amazing experience and the incredible people I’ve had the privilege to work with the past two decades, I am just as anxious for the professional opportunities that lie ahead,” he added.
Brandon’s departure comes after the Bills made a big splash in the first round of the draft by trading up to select both Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen with the seventh pick, and Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds with the 16th pick. The new additions join a Bills team that went 9-7 and ended a 17-year playoff drought last year.
On Saturday, the last-place Sabres earned a boost by winning the NHL draft lottery and the right to the No. 1 pick for the third time in franchise history.
“We have a tremendous amount of confidence in the strong leadership team we have built within each of these entities over the last several years,” the statement from the Pegulas read. “We are excited about the direction of our teams, especially after this past weekend’s NFL draft and NHL lottery results. Our focus remains on building championship teams on and off the field for our fans and community.”
Brandon most recently served as the Bills managing partner, was the Sabres alternate on the NHL’s board of governors and a member of the NFL’s business ventures committee.
The timing of Brandon’s exit is curious, given his role in overseeing both franchises as well as being responsible for heading the Bills’ next big venture in determining their future home. Brandon was expected to lead the team’s stadium search committee in deciding whether the Bills should continue playing at their current home or develop a new facility in downtown Buffalo.
He served in various roles with the Bills, involving both marketing and football decisions during a two-year stint as general manager from 2008-09. He also took the lead in negotiating the Bills most recent lease five years ago, which played a critical role in securing the franchise’s long-term future in Buffalo especially following late-Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson’s death in March 2014.
The lease included a strict non-relocation clause that included a $400 million penalty the team would be forced to pay if it considered moving before 2020.
Brandon also oversaw the Bills’ eventual sale to the Pegulas, who completed their $1.4 billion purchase of the franchise in October 2014..
RAIDERS SUSPEND LINEMAN
Oakland Raiders offensive lineman Vadal Alexander has been suspended without pay for the first four games next season for a violation of the league policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
The Raiders made the announcement Tuesday, attributing the information to the NFL. Alexander won’t be eligible to play until an Oct. 7 road game against the Chargers. He can return to practice Oct. 1, a day after the Raiders host Cleveland.
The 24-year-old offensive guard played in 15 games for Oakland last season with four starts and has appeared in 24 games overall with nine starts in two NFL seasons.
COLTS RELEASE SIX PLAYERS
The Indianapolis Colts have waived six players as they prepare to welcome their new draft picks and undrafted rookies.
Linebacker Jermaine Grace, running back Matt Jones, receiver Justice Liggins, nose tackle Joey Mbu, defensive end Arthur Miley and linebacker Darnell Sankey were released. Indy also put defensive tackle
Johnathan Calvin on the waived-injured list.
If Calvin clears waivers, he will go on the Colts’ injured reserve list.
Later, the Colts announced they had signed 10 undrafted free agents: Kicker Michael Badgley, safeties Chris Cooper and
George Odum, receiver
Steve Ishmael, defensive tackle Tomasi Laulile, linebackers Skai Moore and
William Ossai, and cornerbacks Lashard Durr, and Robert Jackson.