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Buffalo Bills heiress Jessica Pegula lead backlash against the team's social media accounts after they shared a message of support for the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays will face the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series over the next week and you'd have expected the Bills to cheer on their state-mates.
However, on Friday, quite the opposite occurred. Just one day prior to the first game against the Yankees, the Bills wrote: 'Good luck to our friends up North'.
They also shared a graphic that read: 'Good luck in the playoffs Blue Jays' which left many fans - including Bills heiress Pegula - bemused.
Directly responding to the account's post, tennis star Pegula wrote: 'Ohhh???'
Interestingly, fellow tennis play Eugenie Bouchard, who is Canadian, was similarly shocked and replied to Pegula's post with: 'I second this. Ohhh???'
Buffalo Bills heiress Jessica Pegula lead backlash against the team's social media account
The Bills bizarrely wished the Toronto Blue Jays good luck against the New York Yankees
Hundreds of other fans quickly followed suit as they questioned the decision to offer support to the Yankees' upcoming rivals.
One fan wrote: 'Shouldn't we root for teams that actually play in the great state of New York?'
Another said: 'Yeah don't call yourself a New York team again'.
'I have never felt such betrayal', another dramatically claimed on X.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays replied with: 'Blue Jays Mafia. You Know Ball' while also posting a picture of Bills QB Josh Allen in a Blue Jays jersey.
The Bills carry the New York name, but many around the state believe they don’t always share in the spotlight.
Based in the far west of the state, closer to Canada than to New York City, the Bills often feel removed from the buzz that surrounds the city’s major teams.
Pegula lead the backlash from bemused Bills fans on social media on Friday afternoon
However, the Blue Jays were loving it and replied with a picture of Bills QB Josh Allen
Pegula, left is seen with her family after her parents Terry (center) and Kim (right) bought the Buffalo Bills in 2014
While the Yankees, Mets, Knicks and Rangers dominate headlines in the nation’s biggest media market, Buffalo has long existed on the sporting periphery.
Yet the Bills’ loyal fan base, renowned for its passion and resilience through harsh winters and decades of ups and downs, sees that distance as a badge of honor.
They’re also quick to point out a simple fact, that the Bills are the only NFL team that actually plays in New York State.
As the franchise continues to chase success, there’s a growing sense that the rest of the state is finally beginning to take notice of the team from up north.
