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Two Buffalo Bills executives, including the newly appointed chief operating officer, were reportedly fired for having an unethical romantic relationship.
According to a new report by The Athletic, John Roth, chief operating officer and executive vice president of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, was fired on Wednesday.
In addition to that firing, Kathryn D’Angelo, the senior VP/general counsel of the Bills, was also let go by team owner Terry Pegula.
Roth and D’Angelo, according to multiple sources, were in a romantic relationship and “the situation came to a head in London,” The Athletic reports.
Sources inform me they got too brazen in London and it became an issue that had to be addressed. https://t.co/6f2t5dq6fC
— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) October 11, 2023
Roth had been promoted to the position of COO less than than three months ago.
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.
The Associated Press reports that despite the teams have not announced the firings of the two executives, both Roth and D’Angelo confirmed they were dismissed in a joint telephone interview, but did not get into specifics as to why.
“Both Kathryn and I wish the Pegulas the best of luck and we think the world of Terry, Kim and Laura, and the rest of the team,” Roth said, referring to his staff. “And we will be cheering the Bills and Sabres on from afar.”
Josh Dziurlikowski, who previously served as the senior vice president of finance and business administration, will become the interim COO.
Football operations adviser Jim Overdorf will take over as acting general counsel while the Bills search for a replacement.
This is the second time since 2018 that a Bills and Sabres executive has been forced out over an inappropriate workplace relationship.
In May of 2018, Bills and Sabres president and managing partner Russ Brandon resigned after an internal investigation confirmed an inappropriate relationship with a female employee.
He is now the CEO and president of the XFL.