Russ Brandon - Leaving Role as President of Bills & Sabres due to workplace behavior and allegations of personal misconduct

[Mr. ChumChums]

Just now, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

If you're a supervisor dating someone who reports to you, there's the line, and you walked across.  It may be consensual; your report may be happy.  But because the imbalance of power between a supervisor and a report always leaves some question as to how free the consent really was and whether it will affect the supervisor's behavior, AFAIK most companies say "no" very explicitly.  As in make you read and sign that you've read all kinds of legal stuff saying "I've been told don't do that and I acknowledge I've been told" explicitly

 

If you're in different reporting structures or on the same level and you keep it civil and non-disruptive, no one will care.

Exactly - most larger companies enforce strict sexual harassment / workplace sensitivity training that communicates this to some extent. In fact, it's in most employee handbooks. In addition, most larger companies also buy liability insurance to protect in situations like this as well, with their insurance premiums being cheaper if they can ensure all employees have gone through said training.

 

It's a big deal.

[Your Brown Eye]

If you put your wiener in a light socket too many times, eventually you'll get zapped.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

18 minutes ago, Rob's House said:

I'm just taken aback by the fact that you assumed both my gender and sexuality. I thought I knew you better than that.

 

Well there you go.   I made two not one.  I'm just full of ASSumptions. 

[frostbitmic]

 

Now the Sabres will be the worst team in the NHL.

[ExiledInIllinois]

4 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

If you're a supervisor dating someone who reports to you, there's the line, and you walked across.  It may be consensual; your report may be happy.  But because the imbalance of power between a supervisor and a report always leaves some question as to how free the consent really was and whether it will affect the supervisor's behavior, AFAIK most companies say "no" very explicitly.  As in make you read and sign that you've read all kinds of legal stuff saying "I've been told don't do that and I acknowledge I've been told" explicitly

 

If you're in different reporting structures or on the same level and you keep it civil and non-disruptive, no one will care.

I met my wife, she was my boss.  Guess what, she still is! 

[Mr. ChumChums]

Just now, ExiledInIllinois said:

I met my wife, she was my boss.  Guess what, she still is! 

You're the rare success story. More often than not, you'll find situations where there is some abuse of power involved.

 

Congrats, you're a lucky one! 

[John in Jax]

Just now, MAJBobby said:

Whats funny is the people that are b*tching about Kim not being qualified are probably the same people that voted for a completely unqualified President 

Yep, over the years, I have noticed that there are a lot of Obama supporters in here.

[Mr. ChumChums]

1 minute ago, MAJBobby said:

Whats funny is the people that are b*tching about Kim not being qualified are probably the same people that voted for a completely unqualified President. 

 

After all as The President says “grab them by the BEEP”

Seriously - how do they know she's not qualified? A (very) basic internet search tells a different story, where she was involved with Terry's company from 1991, up until they sold it in 2010. A 19-year career in the energy-business is nothing to laugh at.

[CommonCents]

2 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

Whats funny is the people that are b*tching about Kim not being qualified are probably the same people that voted for a completely unqualified President. 

 

After all as The President says “grab them by the BEEP”

Bobby, please contact your sources ASAP and let them know you’re talking silly again. 

[Kelly the Dog]

1 minute ago, Mr. ChumChums said:

Seriously - how do they know she's not qualified? A (very) basic internet search tells a different story, where she was involved with Terry's company from 1991, up until they sold it in 2010. A 19-year career in the energy-business is nothing to laugh at.

And nothing to do with running an NFL team either. 

[DriveFor1Outta5]

24 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Yikes. I'm going to guess you're in high school. You clearly have never worked in an office. Every work place has its share of !@#$s, men and women alike. But most people keep their heads down and do their work, and unless you're a prick everyone will mostly be friendly with you. And office relationships are fine. It isn't hard to see where the line is and not cross it. Russ obviously crossed the line many times and it finally caught up with him.

Well said, too much hyperbole is used when this stuff happens. Work place relationship will happen, the problem occurs when a guy crosses the line. Knowing not to cross the line simply requires basic social skills. These skills are often blocked by arrogance. A high ranking married male employee (Brandon) can’t expect not to encounter repercussions for his type behavior. It’s one thing for two single low level employees to date, it’s another for a married CEO to sleaze around the facility. 

[Fadingpain]

9 minutes ago, frostbitmic said:

 

Now the Sabres will be the worst team in the NHL.

They already are.

 

[Mr. ChumChums]

6 minutes ago, Kelly the Dog said:

And nothing to do with running an NFL team either. 

Fair enough.

However, I would argue that her career as an executive has afforded her some solid business fundamentals - the most important (in my mind at least) being to surround yourself with people who can make the proper football decisions for you.

 

Half of NFL owners don't have prior NFL team experience before owning the team - you think all they do is think about football? At the end of the day, owning an NFL franchise is about running a business, which almost universally, they all DO have experience doing.

Edited May 2, 2018 by Mr. ChumChums

[Dopey]

8 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

I met my wife, she was my boss.  Guess what, she still is! 

So that's how you got promoted!! You dirty dog!

[Rob's House]

2 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

Whats funny is the people that are b*tching about Kim not being qualified are probably the same people that voted for a completely unqualified President 

I'm not bitching about it but I do think it's a fair criticism. People always criticize meddling owners. Look at what we said about Al Davis and Jerry Jones. Why should it be any different for her?

 

In fact, the criticism is stronger with her because they were football guys their whole lives and knew the ropes inside and out. Kim's a newb whose only been on the scene for 4 years.

 

[akm0404]

As a side note, of course NFL owners never have a ton of experience running an NFL franchise. 

 

You just can’t earn enough money building NFL front office experience to ever afford to buy a team. 

 

I wouldnt be surprised if Terry and Kim wanted to ditch a guy with Brandon’s...colorful reputation. They seem to respond to a family values type of crowd, but needed to keep him on for a few years to learn the ropes while they built their own network of contacts. 

[BillnutinHouston]

59 minutes ago, billsfan_34 said:

Just a quick little thought. Investigation started either right before the draft or during. Pegulas are furious of what they find out. They let him sit at the draft table so he feels empowered and on top of the world- then Friday kim confronts and says “resign or be fired you POS”. Talk about chopping someone down if thats how it went.

 

Do we know he was at the draft table?  I didn't see any photos reflecting that. 

 

[Kelly the Dog]

1 minute ago, Mr. ChumChums said:

Fair enough.

However, I would argue that her career as an executive has afforded her some solid business fundamentals - the most important (in my mind at least) being to surround yourself with people who can make the proper football decisions for you.

 

Most NFL owners don't have prior NFL team experience before owning the team - you think all they do is think about football? At the end of the day, owning an NFL franchise is about running a business, which almost universally, they all DO have experience doing.

True. But as owner she could have hired a President like the guy Kirby suggested who is very qualified for the job and doesn't need the spotlight, and then made any executive decisions she needs to or wants to as his boss, and had a qualified person in that job. 

[MAJBobby]

8 minutes ago, Mr. ChumChums said:

Seriously - how do they know she's not qualified? A (very) basic internet search tells a different story, where she was involved with Terry's company from 1991, up until they sold it in 2010. A 19-year career in the energy-business is nothing to laugh at.

 

Just laughing at all the people that say he is unqualified and never worked for her, with her, know her. It is funny to me

[billsfan_34]

1 minute ago, BillnutinHouston said:

 

Do we know he was at the draft table?  I didn't see any photos reflecting that. 

 

Thats what was released by the Bills- I never saw a pic of him there either.

[DrDawkinstein]

1 minute ago, Rob's House said:

I'm not bitching about it but I do think it's a fair criticism. People always criticize meddling owners. Look at what we said about Al Davis and Jerry Jones. Why should it be any different for her?

 

In fact, the criticism is stronger with her because they were football guys their whole lives and knew the ropes inside and out. Kim's a newb whose only been on the scene for 4 years.

 

 

But nothing has changed today, other than her being more involved in off-field matters. They have always been active (meddling) owners who have their Head Coach and GM report directly to them. It's always been an issue.

[Kelly the Dog]

2 minutes ago, Rob's House said:

I'm not bitching about it but I do think it's a fair criticism. People always criticize meddling owners. Look at what we said about Al Davis and Jerry Jones. Why should it be any different for her?

 

In fact, the criticism is stronger with her because they were football guys their whole lives and knew the ropes inside and out. Kim's a newb whose only been on the scene for 4 years.

 

Yep. She is learning but she admits she knows little about football. I don't think she will be making any decisions as President that affect anything to do with football operations, outside of making it more comfortable for the players and coaches and players families, etc.

[MAJBobby]

4 minutes ago, Rob's House said:

I'm not bitching about it but I do think it's a fair criticism. People always criticize meddling owners. Look at what we said about Al Davis and Jerry Jones. Why should it be any different for her?

 

In fact, the criticism is stronger with her because they were football guys their whole lives and knew the ropes inside and out. Kim's a newb whose only been on the scene for 4 years.

 

 

What about ummm say Robert and Jonathan (President) Kraft?

 

you dont have to bee Football people to know how to LEAD a Company

Edited May 2, 2018 by MAJBobby

[DrDawkinstein]

1 minute ago, Kelly the Dog said:

True. But as owner she could have hired a President like the guy Kirby suggested who is very qualified for the job and doesn't need the spotlight, and then made any executive decisions she needs to or wants to as his boss, and had a qualified person in that job. 

 

She could still do that when theyre ready. This happened fast, so of course they are going to put on the strong face and say "I got this, no problem, it'll be great!". And then find someone down the line.

[CommonCents]

1 minute ago, MAJBobby said:

 

What about ummm say Robert and Jonathan (President) Kraft?

How long has Robert been grooming Jonathan? ....yikes

[Kelly the Dog]

Just now, Commonsense said:

How long has Robert been grooming Jonathan? ....yikes

He has been doing Jonathan's hair every morning since he was two. 

[Mr. ChumChums]

5 minutes ago, Kelly the Dog said:

True. But as owner she could have hired a President like the guy Kirby suggested who is very qualified for the job and doesn't need the spotlight, and then made any executive decisions she needs to or wants to as his boss, and had a qualified person in that job. 

 

This I can agree with. And maybe they will in the future.

 

To play the other side, however - Terry and Kim are trying to build something special in Buffalo with PSE, and have a vision they're trying to execute. It's possible that while they're still in the early stages of executing their vision, that they will have a heavier hand in the day-to-day. Or, they could be having fun with their new toy. Terry has flat out said that he loves being involved with the sport, the numbers, the analytics - basically whatever makes us love football. Kim is the businesswoman who is to actually build the business. Right now, just 4 years into ownership, the toys are still new, and they want to play. Maybe after some time, they'll bring in a true football czar? Who knows, time will tell.

Edited May 2, 2018 by Mr. ChumChums

[Simon]

Good riddance Wormtongue, you bulbous sack of unctuous slime.

A decade late, but fate pays no credence to time.

[CommonCents]

Just now, Kelly the Dog said:

He has been doing Jonathan's hair every morning since he was two. 

And he still won’t hand it over!!!!

[stony]

3 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

But nothing has changed today, other than her being more involved in off-field matters. They have always been active (meddling) owners who have their Head Coach and GM report directly to them. It's always been an issue.

Except the time they hired a well-respected, HOF player w/ business experience to run their hockey team...I still think that was their worst decision as owner of both teams.   

[MAJBobby]

5 minutes ago, Kelly the Dog said:

True. But as owner she could have hired a President like the guy Kirby suggested who is very qualified for the job and doesn't need the spotlight, and then made any executive decisions she needs to or wants to as his boss, and had a qualified person in that job. 

 

And again how do you know they wont. 

 

This right now is called DAMAGE CONTROL. What is the best way to control damage from misconduct with female employees from your last president. Have the Female Owner step in and STOP THE BLEEDING

[akm0404]

They also shelled out one thousand four hundred piles with a million dollars in each for the privilege of meddling to their heart’s content. 

[Kelly the Dog]

1 minute ago, Commonsense said:

And he still won’t hand it over!!!!

Kraft is a scumbag of scumbags, and yet I have to give him credit for doing a bunch of decent if not generous things to make it appear as if he is not one. He's great at that. 

[MAJBobby]

4 minutes ago, Commonsense said:

How long has Robert been grooming Jonathan? ....yikes

 

To be what a football person?

[Rob's House]

2 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

 

What about ummm say Robert and Jonathan (President) Kraft?

 

you dont have to bee Football people to know how to LEAD a Company

You don't catch a lot of flack when you're winning superbowls.

 

Personally, I don't think it's a big deal. I  doubt she acts as much more than an overseer. She'll probably have guys like the ones Kirby mentioned running things, making the decisions, and reporting back to her.

[Augie]

1 hour ago, JoeF said:

 

Not one of my prouder moments TD...never will be.  You hit on the thing I will take to my grave.  I hurt people dear to me.  My team members at the company, family....etc.  I did that--no one else. 

 

You never make it up no matter how much you try to or express regret.   I can't let it consume me because I am still responsible for providing for others but its a private hell I deserve.  Hopefully, Russ will get to the point where he understands that owning starts the process of healing for others impacted.  The relationships are never the same but they can be rebuilt to an extent and there is a bit of courage and increased self-respect in owning it.  Augie hit on it--it's selfish, unprofessional, immoral and all other bad things you can think of...but I did it---I needed to own it.  Hopefully, Russ gets there some day.

 

Okay--I am through baring my soul for you all today, but we are in more than a minor way family on this board.  Hope I helped some folks understand my personal view that it is never, ever appropriate for a CEO of a company, particularly one as high profile as PSE, the Bills and Sabres to engage in this behavior.  Its more than respect for women, its understanding what the role represents and behaving accordingly.

 

We all do things we regret. Some are worse than others, but it happens. That’s life, and it can be very hard. If I’ve learned anything as I age, it’s not to judge. I could go on and on here, but I will leave it at do not judge. God will do that in time.

 

Anyone who wants to play holier than thou just may have the biggest fall.  I get we all have opinions, but don’t think you are the final say. Try hard to do good, and best of luck!  Those who are open and discuss their shortcomings just may help others, and that’s a step in the right direction. Every day is a new day, make the most of it, no matter how hard it may be. 

 

Believe me, Russ is paying a steep price right now. 

Edited May 2, 2018 by Augie

[Kelly the Dog]

1 minute ago, MAJBobby said:

 

And again how do you know they wont. 

 

This right now is called DAMAGE CONTROL. What is the best way to control damage from misconduct with female employees from your last president. Have the Female Owner step in and STOP THE BLEEDING

Because the report is, from someone who asked them directly, that the job is permanent. 

[frostbitmic]

The spirit responsible for the hiring of Rex Ryan has now been exorcised from the building.

[MAJBobby]

Just now, Rob's House said:

You don't catch a lot of flack when you're winning superbowls.

 

Personally, I don't think it's a big deal. I  doubt she acts as much more than an overseer. She'll probably have guys like the ones Kirby mentioned running things, making the decisions, and reporting back to her.

 

So essentially a President. Hmmm got it

[CommonCents]

1 minute ago, MAJBobby said:

 

To be what a football person?

Answer the question Bobby. If none of your sources know just use google. I will wait.