The owners of the Buffalo Sabres are taking on federal immigration officials over the future of the team's head strength and conditioning coach.
What You Need To Know
- Coach Edward Gannon could face deportation, according to court documents
- Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula are working to make sure he can stay in the United States
- The UK native's application for a green card was denied
- Immigration officials argue Gannon failed to meet the metrics for approval
According to federal court documents, coach Edward Gannon could be deported after the United Kingdom native's application for a green card was denied.
Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula are trying to make sure he gets to stay in the U.S., citing in the lawsuit that sending him away would cause financial harm and disrupt developing the team's athletes.
Immigration officials argue Gannon failed to meet the metrics for approval which include proving that he has sustained national or international acclaim, as well as by rising to the top of his field.
The Sabres argue that he meets those requirements considering his status as being the head strength and conditioning coach for an NHL team.
Gannon has been with the team under temporary nonimmigrant status since he was hired back in 2015. He is a UK citizen with a PhD in applied strength and condition from the University of Bath, a leading institute with an international reputation for research and the sciences, according to the suit.