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Panthers owner releases statement in response to inappropriate comment towards Toronto Maple Leafs fan

Adam Laskaris
Adam Laskaris
|
May 14 2025, 5:06 pm
Panthers owner releases statement in response to inappropriate comment towards Toronto Maple Leafs fan
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A high-ranking member of the Florida Panthers’ front office has apologized for comments directed this week at a Toronto Maple Leafs fan.

As reported by the Toronto Sun‘s Dan Bilicki, Panthers part-owner and alternate governor Doug Cifu has been suspended from the league indefinitely for comments directed at Leafs fan @mrgrozz on X.

Cifu had tweeted at the user about being a “51st state anti-semite loser” and saying “Israel now and forever” when prodded about the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards reached Cifu, who apologized for his behaviour.

“Two days ago, I posted regrettable and inflammatory comments on social media,’’ Cifu wrote in a statement to Florida Hockey Now. “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.”

Cifu has been Panthers majority owner Vincent Viola’s right-hand man since buying the team in 2013. He also serves as CEO of Virtu Financial and is a business partner alongside Viola.

“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 to the Sun. “An in-person meeting will be scheduled with Mr. Cifu and the Commissioner at a date to be determined.”

The Leafs and Panthers return to Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night for Game 5 of their second-round series. The teams are tied at two wins apiece, with Toronto taking the first two games of the series at home before Florida was able to even it with two home wins of their own in Games 3 and 4.

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