Panthers Minority Owner’s Sudden Absence from Stanley Cup Final Sparks Speculation
There’s an uncanny twist unfolding in the NHL as Doug Cifu, a notable minority owner of the Florida Panthers, finds himself benched—not on the ice, but by the league itself. This isn’t your usual penalty; Cifu’s suspension stems from a storm of social media exchanges that have left the hockey world buzzing, just as the Panthers gear up for a crucial Stanley Cup Final clash. The situation grows even more tangled knowing Cifu’s influential ties—he’s not just an owner, but also the vice chairman and alternate governor for the Panthers, with a name etched on hockey’s most coveted trophy. Yet now, sidelined and silent at games, he faces the consequences of comments that sparked controversy during one of the sport’s most intense moments. As the Stanley Cup Final looms—pitting the Panthers against the Edmonton Oilers in a rematch fans won’t soon forget—Cifu’s absence is a stark reminder of how off-ice actions can ripple powerfully through the game. Curious about the full story and what this means for the Panthers and the league going forward? LEARN MORE
Doug Cifu, a minority owner of the NHL’s Florida Panthers whose name is engraved on the Stanley Cup, remains in the league’s penalty box.
Cifu was suspended by the NHL over his social media activity after Game 4 of the Panthers’ second-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 11. When asked via email by Sportico Thursday if he’ll be able to attend the Stanley Cup Finals games against the Edmonton Oilers, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote, “He is not currently permitted to attend games as a function of his suspension. So I guess the answer is no.”
Cifu responded to a Leafs fan on the social media platform X who, noticing Israeli flags in the owner’s bio, wrote that Israel was “using starvation as a weapon to win a war” in Gaza. In a subsequent back-and-forth, Cifu used explicit language and called the fan a “51st state anti semite loser”—the last part of the message an apparent reference to President Donald Trump suggesting Canada join the U.S.
The NHL suspended Cifu indefinitely from having any involvement with the club or the league. In addition to his minority share, Cifu serves as the Panthers’ vice chairman and is its alternate governor for league matters.
“Two days ago, I posted regrettable and inflammatory comments on social media,” Cifu told Florida Hockey Now in a statement after his suspension was first announced. “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.”
The Panthers did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Cifu is the CEO of Virtu Financial, a high-frequency trading company that he co-founded with Vincent Viola in 2008. He purchased a minority share in the Panthers when Viola bought the franchise in 2013.
The Panthers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year where they’ll face the Edmonton Oilers in a rematch of last year’s final. With the Oilers having home-ice advantage, Games 3, 4 and 6 (if necessary) would be played in Sunrise, Fl.
The Stanley Cup Final begins on June 4 in Edmonton.
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