By Associated Press
Buffalo, NY – (AP) - A person familiar with the sale of the Buffalo Sabres has told The Associated Press that the NHL is expected to approve Terry Pegula's purchase of the franchise in the next few days, opening the way for the Pennsylvania billionaire to take control next week.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity on Thursday, because the NHL has not announced a timetable on the sale process. Pegula reached a deal, pending league approval, to purchase the team for $189 million from Tom Golisano this month.
Pegula has ties to western New York and is committed to keeping the franchise in Buffalo. He is the founder and former president of the energy company East Resources Inc., which was sold to Royal Dutch Shell PLC for $4.7 billion last year.