ESPN.com · May 14, 2025
Panthers minority owner suspended for offensive social media posts
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The NHL has suspended Florida Panthers minority owner Doug Cifu from any involvement with the team or the league after a series of offensive social media posts Sunday night.
Cifu will have an in-person meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman at a later date.
The offending messages were from a back-and-forth with a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Panthers' current playoff opponent, that veered into statements about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians as well as a reference to Canada becoming the 51st state. President Donald Trump has said in recent months that he wants to see Canada added to the United States as the 51st state.