Jessica Pegula hits back at billionaire dad's NFL team over MLB playoff post
The Buffalo Bills shocked fans when rooting for the Toronto Blue Jays over the New York Yankees in the MLB playoffs, and tennis star Jessica Pegula called out the franchise
Jessica Pegula has called out her beloved Buffalo Bills for supporting the Toronto Blue Jays over the New York Yankees, before meeting in the MLB Playoffs.
Pegula is an American tennis star currently ranked No. 7 in the world, but her father, Terry Pegula, owns the Bills after outbidding Donald Trump in 2014. Jessica Pegula, who was born in Buffalo, has held a close relationship with Bills fans ever since.
The American has been seen attending games at Highmark Stadium, and Bills fans have supported her around the world at tennis tournaments. However, she's disagreed with Buffalo's baseball allegiance, calling out the organization.
The Yankees fought back after losing Game 1 of the Wild Card series against the Boston Red Sox to advance to the next round. Game 1 of the ALDS against the Blue Jays is on Saturday, and Toronto has homefield advantage.
While Buffalo is much closer to Toronto than New York City, it's still in New York state. Therefore, many fans, including Pegula, were puzzled when the Bills' social media account voiced its support for the Blue Jays over the Yankees.
The Bills' X account shared a graphic that read, "Good luck in the playoffs, Blue Jays." The caption also read, "Good luck to our friends up North."
Pegula was confused by the support and replied to Buffalo's X post: "Ohhh???" She received support from fellow tennis player Genie Bouchard, who also happens to be Canadian. "I second this. Ohhh???" Bouchard added.
While Pegula went against the Bills, her opinion was heavily supported. "Yeah don’t call your self a New York team again," one fan replied.
"Shouldn’t a NY team root for a NY team? Where’s the Go Yankees?" Another fan added. "I know tons of Bills fans being from upstate NY, none of them are Blue Jays over Yankees fans. Not one," one fan claimed.
"Damn, rooting against the in-state team," another observed. "A team that based out of New York is cheering for an international team that’s playing against a team from New York. That’s wild," one fan said.
However, the Blue Jays hit back by posting a photo of Bills quarterback Josh Allen wearing a Toronto jersey. "Bills Mafia, you know ball," the Blue Jays wrote as the caption.
The Bills have collaborated with the Blue Jays in the past, and the NFL franchise has a large Canadian following. Because there is no NFL team in Canada, Buffalo is one of the most popular teams.
While Canada has its own Canadian Football League, the NFL is still the priority for football north of the border. Buffalo is just 20 miles south of Niagara Falls, with thousands of Canadians going from Ontario to upstate New York on gamedays.