Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills introduced their new joint COO Pete Guelli on Wednesday. Guelli grew up in Rochester and went to school at SUNY Brockport.
The new COO of the Bills and Sabres will begin his duties back in Buffalo come April, as he finishes up working with the New York Giants. Guelli also spent time working with the Bills organization from 1998-2009 as the team’s Senior Vice President of Business Ventures.
"It’s a surreal moment. From the minute I left, there was always a little bit of me that wanted to come back," said Guelli during his introductory Zoom call. "You just never expect that things were going to work out like this, but it’s like a gravitational pull, where you come from the area and take a lot of pride in representing your hometown teams."
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Guelli spent 10 seasons as COO of the Charlotte Hornets. He started when the Hornets were at rock bottom, and helped rebuild the franchise.
The Sabres are likely going to miss the playoffs for a 13th-straight season, even after preseason expectations had them breaking that streak this year.
"I can’t wait to get to work on the Sabres. I really think the potential there is incredible," Guelli said of the hockey team. "I spent 10 years working in an arena model in Charlotte, and I know exactly how it needs to operate. Those buildings are community assets. They’re the staples of the city, and they’re the catalyst for growth if they’re handled the right way."
Guelli was in Western New York when sellouts were the norm, and there was a huge waiting list for season tickets. Excessive losing makes fans stay away, but he thinks the potential is there to bring people back. He mentions they just have to unlock that passion again.
Already Guelli says he’s had lengthy conversations about the Sabres with owner Terry Pegula. He feels the owner is incredibly committed and passionate about the team, but knows there needs to be improvements,
"I think there’s some things with this arena that we need to take a look at, because it’s all about experience," Guelli said.
"You can’t control exactly what’s going to happen on the ice, but you can control what people see and do from the minute they step onto the street, to the minute they’re in their seat. That’s been a focus to go through that process, making sure the value is there. We will definitely focus on that, because I’ve heard a lot about the experience for a Sabres fan, and what it’s like to walk into that building."
When it comes to the Bills, general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott both report to Pegula.
With the Sabres, general manager Kevyn Adams reports to Pegula, while head coach Don Granato reports to Adams.
While Guelli will work hand-in-hand with Adams, the Sabres general manager won’t be reporting to him, and that’s the way Guelli wants it.
"I’ve worked in this kind of environment before, and I’ve already been in contact with Kevyn. We’ve gone back-and-forth sharing information, and I know Terry is a huge fan and big proponent of what Kevyn is trying to build," he said. "I think the model of where somebody is operating the business and somebody is the performance side is, to me, the preferred model, and I’ve seen it in multiple sports. I know it works if you have the right people, and Kevyn is an incredible resource. I’m just excited to work with him."
