📍 Buffalo, NY — September 2, 2025
A viral video of Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula’s $100 million superyacht anchored in Newport, Rhode Island has ignited a firestorm of backlash online, as New York taxpayers continue footing the bill for the team’s new $2.1 billion stadium.
The luxury vessel, named Top Five II, features designer interiors from Hermès and Louis Vuitton, a glass-sided spa pool, cinema lounge, and private dining deck. But it’s not the yacht’s opulence that has fans fuming—it’s the timing.
đź’¸ Taxpayer Burden
New York State and Erie County taxpayers are contributing a combined $850 million toward the construction of the Bills’ new stadium, the largest public subsidy for an NFL venue in history. Pegula, whose net worth is estimated at $7 billion, has faced criticism for accepting public funds while indulging in ultra-luxury living.
“The Pegulas are relaxing in Newport while we pay for the stadium? That’s a slap in the face,” one Bills fan wrote on Reddit. Another added, “Love the Bills, but this stadium deal is robbery. Pegulas pay nothing while we go broke.”
📱 Social Media Uproar
The video, originally posted on TikTok, shows the 200-foot yacht docked among other elite vessels. Comments flooded in from angry fans and taxpayers, many pointing out that Pegula made his fortune in fracking and natural gas, industries already under scrutiny.
“I bet he pays more to dock that than he does in taxes,” one user wrote on Facebook.
🏟️ Stadium Costs Soar
The new Highmark Stadium is already $560 million over its original estimate. While Pegula is contributing a portion of the funding, critics argue that public money could be better spent on education, infrastructure, or social services.
Governor Kathy Hochul defended the deal earlier this year, saying it was difficult to push through the legislature but necessary to keep the Bills in Buffalo.
🎾 Family in the Spotlight
Adding to the public fascination is Pegula’s daughter, Jessica Pegula, a top-ranked professional tennis player who recently reached the U.S. Open finals. The yacht’s name reportedly honors Pegula’s five children.
As construction continues on the stadium, the video has reignited debate over wealth, privilege, and public accountability in professional sports. For many in Western New York, the image of Pegula’s floating palace is more than just a symbol of luxury—it’s a reminder of who’s really paying the price.