“It’s embarrassing” – Jessica Pegula reveals her billionaire father Terry as reason for avoiding documentary on family-owned Buffalo Bills
Jessica Pegula, the World No. 4 tennis star, revealed an “embarrassing” reason for steering clear of HBO’s *Hard Knocks* series featuring the Buffalo Bills, owned by her billionaire parents, Terry and Kim Pegula. In an interview with *Tennis.com* on September 3, 2025, ahead of her US Open semifinal against Aryna Sabalenka, Pegula admitted, “People say my dad’s in it a lot… Maybe that’s kind of why I don’t want to watch, because it’s like, a little embarrassing.” She clarified on *The Player’s Box* podcast that she watched only the first episode, stating, “I’m not in it,” dispelling assumptions about her involvement (*Sportskeeda*). The documentary, which aired its 24th season in 2025, offers an all-access look at the Bills’ preseason under coach Sean McDermott, prominently featuring Terry Pegula, who gives quarterback Josh Allen a stadium tour in the opener.
Pegula’s discomfort stems from her private nature despite her close relationship with her family, whose $9.3 billion fortune, per *Forbes*, derives from Terry’s oil and gas ventures and ownership of the Bills and Buffalo Sabres. She rarely discusses their wealth, telling *Town & Country*, “It’s annoying that people think I have a butler, that I fly private everywhere… I’m definitely not like that.” Her reluctance to engage with the documentary contrasts with her pride in the Bills, as she’s a vocal supporter, often sharing posts about Josh Allen and Joe Montana (*Sportskeeda*). However, the spotlight on Terry, who docked his $100 million yacht near Flushing Meadows to watch her US Open matches, adds to her unease (*SI.com*).
Despite her off-court reticence, Pegula’s 2025 US Open run has been stellar, reaching her second straight semifinal without dropping a set, defeating players like Victoria Azarenka and Barbora Krejcikova. Her 14-match win streak against players outside the Top 50, per @usopen on X, and a 2024 final appearance fuel her confidence against Sabalenka, whom she trails 2-7 head-to-head (*BBC Sport*). Pegula’s stress-free mindset, as she told *Forbes*, “I got over stressing myself out,” reflects her focus on tennis over family publicity. As she eyes a first Grand Slam final, her avoidance of *Hard Knocks* underscores her desire to separate her athletic identity from her family’s high-profile status.
