The Buffalo Bills have hired Bruce Popko to be their top corporate sales executive.

Popko's title is senior vice president of business development. He will oversee the team's

corporate partnership division, which includes corporate sales, luxury suites, indoor premium

seats as well as the implementation of the Bills' corporate regionalization strategies.

Popko comes to the Bills from the worldwide sports management firm, International Management

Group, where he served as a vice president the past four years.

Popko brings an extensive NFL background to the Bills. He spent six years with the Cleveland

Browns, overseeing all marketing and promotional activities, including sponsorships, local

media rights, ticket operations, luxury suite and premium seating operations and

stadium-related events. Before that he worked for the San Francisco 49ers and the New York

Jets, as well as NFL Properties.

He will step into the role previously held by Pete Guelli, who had a very successful 10-year

tenure with the Bills, most recently as senior vice president of business ventures. The Bills

targeted someone with extensive experience to replace Guelli, who was hired this month as

executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer for the NBA's Charlotte

Bobcats.

"We are very excited to have Bruce join our organization," said Russ Brandon, Bills chief

operating officer and general manager. "He has a long history of success in both the National

Football League and the sports marketing industry, and we are looking forward to having him

continue the development and growth of our business strategies."