Buffalo Bills

American Football

The Buffalo Bills are an NFL team based in Orchard Park, New York, competing in the AFC East. They’ve won 2 AFL titles and 15 division titles since 1960.

Founded

1959

Sport

American Football

Countries

United States

Owner

Terry Pegula

Summary

The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in Orchard Park, New York. Competing in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the AFC East division, the Bills were established in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) and joined the NFL following the 1970 AFL–NFL merger.

The franchise plays its home games at Highmark Stadium and is known for its loyal and passionate fan base, widely referred to as the "Bills Mafia." The team is owned by Terry Pegula and managed by general manager Brandon Beane, with Sean McDermott serving as head coach.

Throughout their history, the Bills have won two AFL championships (1964, 1965), claimed 15 division titles, and made 24 playoff appearances. They are especially known for their remarkable run of four consecutive Super Bowl appearances between 1990 and 1993, a unique achievement in NFL history, though they did not secure a win in any of those games.

The team’s modern era has been marked by a strong resurgence under McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen. Since 2017, the Bills have returned to regular playoff contention, earning multiple AFC East titles and reaching the AFC Championship Game in 2020 and 2024.

The Bills are currently constructing a new stadium to replace Highmark Stadium, set to open in 2026, representing a significant investment in the future of the franchise.

History

The Buffalo Bills were established in 1959 and began competitive play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). Named after the earlier AAFC franchise and inspired by frontiersman Buffalo Bill, the team quickly became one of the AFL’s dominant clubs. Under head coach Lou Saban and led by quarterback Jack Kemp, the Bills won back-to-back AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965, marking the franchise’s only league titles to date.

Following the AFL–NFL merger in 1970, the Bills joined the National Football League (NFL) as part of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The early years in the NFL were largely unremarkable, though the team found a star in running back O. J. Simpson, who became the first NFL player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season in 1973.

The team’s most successful period came in the late 1980s and early 1990s under head coach Marv Levy and general manager Bill Polian. Quarterback Jim Kelly, running back Thurman Thomas, wide receiver Andre Reed, and defensive end Bruce Smith formed the core of a team that appeared in four consecutive Super Bowls from 1990 to 1993. Despite this unprecedented run, the Bills lost all four games, including the infamous “wide right” miss in Super Bowl XXV.

After the 1990s, the Bills entered a prolonged period of decline. From 2000 to 2016, the team suffered a 17-year playoff drought, the longest active postseason absence in North American professional sports at the time. Ownership transitioned from founder Ralph Wilson to Terry and Kim Pegula in 2014, signalling a new era of leadership.

The franchise’s fortunes began to improve under head coach Sean McDermott, hired in 2017. The Bills returned to the playoffs that year and later drafted quarterback Josh Allen in 2018. Allen’s development, combined with key additions such as wide receiver Stefon Diggs and a strong defence, propelled Buffalo to renewed success. In the 2020 season, the team reached the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 1993.

Between 2020 and 2024, the Bills consistently contended for the AFC title, winning the division five times and advancing deep into the playoffs. However, postseason disappointment persisted, with multiple losses to the Kansas City Chiefs, including in the 2020 and 2024 AFC Championship Games.

Today, the Buffalo Bills remain one of the NFL’s most competitive franchises, known for their passionate fan base, “Bills Mafia,” and their ongoing pursuit of a Super Bowl title. A new stadium is under construction and expected to open in 2026, symbolising the franchise’s long-term commitment to excellence and community.

Ownership

The Buffalo Bills are owned by Terry Pegula, who acquired the team in 2014 following the death of founding owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Pegula, a businessman with interests in natural gas and sports, also owns the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. His purchase of the Bills was approved unanimously by NFL owners and marked a commitment to keeping the franchise in Buffalo.

Since acquiring the team, Terry Pegula has served as both principal owner and team president. His wife, Kim Pegula, held an active leadership role in the organization until a serious health condition in 2022 led to a reduction in her involvement. In December 2024, a 20.6% minority stake in the Bills was sold to a group of private equity investors, including Arctos Partners LP and former athletes Jozy Altidore, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady, marking one of the first such deals in NFL history.

Pegula’s ownership has been characterized by significant investments in both football operations and stadium infrastructure. Under his leadership, the Bills have experienced a competitive resurgence, consistent playoff appearances, and the planning of a new state-of-the-art stadium expected to open in 2026.

Award