Pegula putting family experience in NFL and NHL to use in tennis prize money protest

Open runner-up, organizing the top tennis players in their protest with the Grand Slams over the share of tournament revenues devoted to prize money. It comes naturally to Pegula, who grew up in a household of sports managers: Her parents own the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.

ROME (AP) — Talk of a boycott from top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner has grabbed attention. Behind the scenes, it’s been Jessica Pegula , the 2024 U. S.

Open runner-up , organizing the top tennis players in their protest with the Grand Slams over the share of tournament revenues devoted to prize money. It comes naturally to Pegula, who grew up in a household of sports managers: Her parents own the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. “I think it maybe does (come naturally) just because I feel like I’ve taken on a bit of a leadership role with it,” Pegula said.

Already this year, No. 5-ranked Pegula was named to lead a new 13-person panel to suggest changes to the women’s tennis calendar, rankings points rules and the requirements about competing in certain events. Now she's taking on the prize money issue, too.