Two of the Buffalo Bills‘ top executives were let go for having a connection that was judged “unethical.”
According to Tim Graham of The Athletic, team owner Terry Pegula fired Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of the Bills and Sabres John Roth after learning that he had a relationship with Senior Vice President and General Counsel Kathryn D’Angelo, who was also fired.
Because D’Angelo reported to Roth, the relationship, according to Graham, was viewed as unethical. It would appear that their relationship was not kept a secret, but during the team’s recent trip to London, things “got too brazen” and “became an issue that had to be addressed.”
Three sources close to the situation inform me Roth and D’Angelo were in a romantic relationship. D’Angelo reported to Roth, which created an unethical circumstance. The firings were abrupt.
Notably, the Bills/Sabres are conducting an EXTERNAL search for replacements. https://t.co/ge9YXvpCc9
— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) October 11, 2023
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
Because D’Angelo reported to Roth, the relationship, according to Graham, was viewed as unethical. It would appear that their relationship was not kept a secret, but during the team’s recent trip to London, things “got too brazen” and “became an issue that had to be addressed.”
Graham further noted that, as far as the league is concerned, this controversy is not the first of its kind; in fact, in 2018, Bills and Sabres president Russ Brandon resigned following the opening of an inquiry into workplace misbehavior and inappropriate connections with female employees.
After taking on the role for the Sabres six months earlier, Roth was moved to COO of the Bills in July. D’Angelo had worked for the Bills for seven years prior to her April appointment as general counsel.
Through a joint call with the Associated Press, they both verified that they have been fired.