Florida Panthers suspend equipment manager after domestic violence arrest
Thaddeus James Richards is being held in Broward County Main Jail.
We told you about *** group of Benjamin School students who raised more than $100,000 through *** 3 on 3 basketball tournament called Hoops for Hope. The money raised was for *** multi-sports field at Kajanja School in Kenya that was just unveiled this week. Sports anchor Yanni Kakas joining us now with how they’re celebrating the efforts in the small African village. Both Xander Klein and Jack Hanson, who spearheaded Hoops for Hope, got to see their hard work come to fruition with visits to the western Kenyan village. Hansen is currently there. I caught up with him and the director of school to see what this brand new sports facility means to the small village. It was *** moment years in the making and one the folks in the small western Kenya village won’t forget. Everybody’s happy because now the community here will be able to enjoy and use the field for soccer and other things. We are very grateful for you and thank you so much. That thank you directed to so many here in Palm Beach County who helped with the. Fundraising, soccer balls, lacrosse sticks, volleyballs from local youth sports organizations, iPads from Saint Clair Catholic School, and all the money to fund the field. Jack Hanson visited Kajana School 3 years ago with this vision in mind. Pretty special just to see um kind of our work, uh, and everything pay off, and just to see the kids’ reactions, and just see the joy and happiness that Uh, they showed the sports field transforming *** village, bringing it together for the entire community in addition to the school. Sports field is something big because in this community now, Kenya will be having *** sports field whereby the community will also be coming, coming to play over. And Jack, *** member of that state championship, Benjamin School lacrosse team, happy to bring the sport he loves to this small village they’ve never even heard of it. Coincidentally, Kenya is trying to field *** team for the 2028 Olympics in lacrosse. Watch out, could be some players from Kajana School. I’m Ynni Kakas, WPBF 25 sports.
Florida Panthers suspend equipment manager after domestic violence arrest
Thaddeus James Richards is being held in Broward County Main Jail.
Updated: 11:54 AM EDT Jul 18, 2026
The Florida Panthers’ equipment manager has been suspended after his arrest on charges of domestic violence and unauthorized use of 911 services.Thaddeus James Richards, 43, was arrested by the Coral Springs Police Department and booked into the Broward County Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Richards is facing one count each of domestic battery involving touch or strike and unauthorized use of 911 services.“The Florida Panthers organization has been made aware of an incident involving the arrest of Equipment Manager Teddy Richards,” the Panthers said in a statement. “Effective immediately, he will be suspended from all team activities and facilities pending investigation.” As of Saturday morning, Richards remains at the Broward County Main Jail.Richards has been the Panthers’ equipment manager since the 2016-17 season. He also worked for Team USA during the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 and at the Milan Cortina Olympics in February. Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. —
The Florida Panthers’ equipment manager has been suspended after his arrest on charges of domestic violence and unauthorized use of 911 services.
As of Saturday morning, Richards remains at the Broward County Main Jail.
Richards has been the Panthers’ equipment manager since the 2016-17 season. He also worked for Team USA during the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 and at the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.
Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25