NHL suspends Panthers minority owner for offensive posts

The NHL suspended a minority owner of the Florida Panthers on Tuesday for his recent "unacceptable and inappropriate" posts on social media.

Doug Cifu, the team's vice chairman and alternate governor, is barred from any involvement with the team or the league pending a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman at a later date.

In a back-and-forth exchange Sunday with a Toronto fan on X (formerly Twitter) that began with comments about the ongoing playoff series between the Maple Leafs and Panthers, the topic switched to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

"Eat s-- 51st state anti-semite loser," one of Cifu's posts read. "Israel now and forever. Until ever (sic) last Hamas rat is eliminated."

That post, referencing President Donald Trump's remarks about Canada becoming the 51st state, was later deleted and the account was deactivated.

"The NHL has concluded that Mr. Cifu's X posts were unacceptable and inappropriate," the league said in a statement. "As a result, Mr. Cifu has been suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the Club and the NHL."

Cifu provided a statement Tuesday to Florida Hockey Now.

"Two days ago, I posted regrettable and inflammatory comments on social media," the statement read. "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 is the CEO of Virtu Financial, a business he co-founded with Panthers owner and chairman Vincent Viola in 2008.

The Panthers and Maple Leafs are tied 2-2 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series. Game 5 is in Toronto on Wednesday night.

--Field Level Media