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Russ Brandon resigns as Bills, Sabres president after internal investigation

File photo

Russ Brandon has 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 they had accepted Brandon's resignation in a press release issued Tuesday afternoon. They did not provide a reason for accepting the resignation.

Kim Pegula will take over Brandon's roles overseeing the Bills, Sabres and Pegula Sports Entertainment, the company that controls the owners' numerous holdings.

Credit Pegula Sports and Entertainment

The Associated Press reported the decision comes after Brandon was confronted by the Pegulas regarding an inappropriate relationship with a female employee. That is according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation.

In a text to the AP, 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.
 
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.''

The Buffalo News reported the move came after Pegula Sports and Entertainment conducted an internal investigation into Brandon’s workplace behavior and allegations of personal misconduct. The investigation was triggered by allegations of inappropriate relationships with female employees.

The Buffalo News also indicated Brandon was deceitful about his relationships and other job-related issues to his superiors.

Brandon wore many hats in the organization. He joined the Bills in 1997 becoming their executive director of business development. Two years later he became vice president of business development and marketing.

He worked his way up through the ranks becoming vice president of business operations in 2006 and eventually chief operating officer in 2008. A year later he replaced Marv Levy as the Bills general manager before becoming the chief executive officer in 2010.

He became president and CEO in 2013 overseeing day-to-day operations and had full control over the franchise. He played an integral role in the transition to new ownership after late-Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson's died in March 2014.

He also helped with the Sabres, taking over as President in 2015 after the Pegulas fired Ted Black back in 2015. Brandon also was the Sabres alternate on the NHL's board of governors and a member of the NFL's business ventures committee.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Nick Lippa leads our Arts & Culture Coverage, and is also the lead reporter for the station's Mental Health Initiative, profiling the struggles and triumphs of those who battle mental health issues and the related stigma that can come from it.