The NHL has suspended Florida Panthers minority owner Douglas Cifu from all team and league activities after controversial comments he made on social media. The league announced the decision late Monday, confirming on Tuesday that Cifu’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) were deemed “unacceptable and inappropriate.”
In response to the incident, the NHL stated, “Mr. Cifu has been suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the club and the NHL.” Following the backlash, Cifu deactivated his X account.
The league also revealed that an in-person meeting between Cifu and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has been scheduled to address the matter further.
Cifu, 60, currently serves as vice chairman, partner, and alternate governor of the Panthers. He is also the CEO of Virtu Financial, a firm he co-founded alongside Panthers majority owner Vinnie Viola.
The suspension comes as the Panthers prepare for a pivotal Game 5 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, with their second-round playoff series tied 2-2.
