An in-person meeting will also be scheduled for Doug Cifu, who owns a minority stake in the Florida Panthers, after the disturbing comments were posted by an X account under his name
Florida Panthers co-owner Doug Cifu has been suspended indefinitely by the NHL for ‘inappropriate’ social media posts
Florida Panthers vice-chairman Doug Cifu has been suspended indefinitely by the National Hockey League from any and all involvement with the team and the league as a result of “unacceptable and inappropriate” social media posts on Sunday night.
Cifu, who is also the team’s partner and alternate governor, will also be scheduled for an in-person meeting with the NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman – who recently penned an emotional tribute to long-time NHL executive Ray Shero – as a result of his actions. It comes just three months after the Panthers visited the White House to celebrate their 2024 Stanley Cup success with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Despite players and staff being made to wait for almost an hour as the 78-year-old engaged in intense talks with then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about pausing tariffs on the country, Trump has since suggested that he would be happy to invite a Canadian sports team to the White House should it win this year’s Stanley Cup despite ongoing tensions between the nations.
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Following Carolina’s 2-0 victory over Toronto at Amerant Bank Arena on Sunday to level the ongoing series at 2-2, Cifu became involved in a spat on X (formerly Twitter) with a Toronto sports fan account (@mrgrozz), which started the exchange by comparing hits by Florida players on the Candian outfit to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
“Hey what’s worse, using headshots to win a series or using starvation as a weapon to win a war?” the post on X read, to which Cifu responded: “Actually being a whiny dope anti semite is clearly worse. Loser.”
In a now-deleted post, the Panthers owner then proceeded to take further shots at the Leafs fan and Canada – which Trump has said he wants to see become the U.S.’s 51st state – in general, along with commenting on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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“Eat s— 51st state anti-semite loser. Israel now and forever. Until ever (sic) last Hamas rat is eliminated,” Cifu posted on his account, which he soon made private before eventually deactivating altogether.
In response to the distasteful posts, the NHL came down hard on Cifu on Monday night by suspending him indefinitely from any and all involvement with the team and the league.
“The NHL has concluded that Mr. Cifu’s X posts were unacceptable and inappropriate. As a result, Mr. Cifu has been suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the Club and the NHL,” the league said in a statement, as per The Toronto Sun. “An in-person meeting will be scheduled with Mr. Cifu and the Commissioner at a date to be determined.”
On Tuesday morning, Cifu apologized for his choice of words. In a statement issued to Florida Hockey Now, he said: “Two days ago, I posted regrettable and inflammatory comments on social media.
The NHL has confirmed that an in-person meeting will be scheduled with Cifu and Commissioner Gary Bettman(Image: Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
“My behavior does not reflect the standards of the Florida Panthers organization and the Viola family. I sincerely apologize to all those affected by my comments. I am committed to working with the NHL to amend my actions.”
In 2013, Cifu was part of Vinnie Viola’s group that purchased the Panthers from Cliff Viner and his partnership group. Cifu, who has been friends and business partners with Viola for many years, is the CEO of Virtu Financial, which he co-founded with Viola in 2008.
Following last year’s Stanley Cup victory, Cifu’s name was etched on the trophy as part of the group the Panthers paid tribute to after winning their first title.