Denial of green card for Sabres staff member leads to lawsuit against U.S. government

The owners of the Buffalo Sabres, Terry and Kim Pegula, are suing the U.S. government after it denied a green card to the team's strength and conditioning coach, who was born in Britain. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, the Pegulas claim the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has subjected the team to "substantial financial harm and disruption in developing athletes."

Ed Gannon was hired by the Sabres in 2015 after he spent 10 years as the lead strength and conditioning coach of a professional rugby club, the Leicester Tigers. An application for permanent residency was filed on his behalf back in October. In order to receive it, Gannon had to prove he was at the top of his field, something the Sabres believe was achieved. USCIS believes otherwise, stating Gannon relied on solicited letters of support rather than unsolicited material such as media reports.

In the lawsuit, Kim Pegula, Buffalo's co-owner and team president, stated "We spend tens of millions of dollars each year on world-class athletes. We require our head of strength and conditioning to expertly monitor and train these athletes to achieve success on the ice. It is a critical role that we entrust to someone who also has world-class credentials and who can properly take care of our valuable assets.”

The lawsuit asks the court to rule that USCIS abused its discretion in making its decision.

Gannon earned a doctorate in applied strength and conditioning for elite athletes at the University of Bath in England, something the Pegulas argue puts him at the top in his field. The lawsuit claims it is "a little perplexing" to question Gannon's credentials given that he is one of just 31 strength and conditioning co-ordinators in the NHL.

Source: Sportsnet.ca

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