Connect with us

Published

5 months ago

on

  • Greg WyshynskiMay 13, 2025, 12:56 PM ET

    Close

      Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.

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.

Cifu is the vice chairman and alternate governor of Sunrise Sports & Entertainment, the Panthers, FLA Live Arena and SSE’s additional operating entities. He is the CEO of Virtu Financial, a financial technology services company co-founded by Florida owner Vincent Viola in 2008.

When asked for comment, the Panthers pointed to a statement Cifu provided to Florida Hockey Now on Tuesday:

“Two days ago, I posted regrettable and inflammatory comments on social media. 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 offending messages came in an exchange on X with a Maple Leafs supporter with the handle “Dr. Grizzo” on May 11, the night of the Panthers’ Game 4 victory to even their series with Toronto. The series has featured several high hits by Florida players on Leafs skaters as well as a collision between Florida center Sam Bennett and Toronto goalie Anthony Stolarz‘s head that contributed to Stolarz leaving their series in Game 1.

Dr. Grizzo wrote, “Hey, what’s worse, using headshots to win a series or using starvation as a weapon to win a war?”

On X, Cifu’s feed contained messages of support for Israel and had five Israeli flags in his bio, along with the statement “all tweets mine.”

Cifu responded to that message with, “Actually being a whiny dope anti-semite is clearly worse. Loser.”

Dr. Grizzo responded: “Not approving of using starvation as a weapon makes me a bigot?” before adding comments about Cifu’s stock market prowess and political leanings.

That promoted Cifu to write, “Eat s— 51st state anti-semite loser. Israel now and forever. Until ever last Hamas rat is eliminated.”

The next day, Cifu made his X account private before deactivating his feed.

The NHL was made aware of the messages and suspended Cifu.

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

The Panthers are the defending Stanley Cup champions and are tied 2-2 in their second-round series with Toronto. After that 2024 title, Cifu’s name is on the Stanley Cup.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Sports

Follow live: Phiilies, Dodgers

Published

2 hours ago

on

October 7, 2025

By

null

Continue Reading

Sports

Phillies’ 2025 ballpark bite to beat: the ‘Fall Classic Shake’

Published

3 hours ago

on

October 6, 2025

By

Phillies' 2025 ballpark bite to beat: the 'Fall Classic Shake'

Move aside, hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack. Baseball teams are becoming more innovative and stepping up their food game in 2025.

One of those creations is the Philadelphia Phillies‘ limited-edition “Fall Classic Shake,” which includes a vanilla soft serve, blended with dulce de leche. If that wasn’t enough, an apple cider donut tops it off. Philadelphia has been on a heater in the kitchen recently — it also unveiled a postseason 9-9-9 challenge box last Friday.

Here are more ballpark innovations that can be found at MLB concession stands this season:

Houston Astros: Fried chicken waffle sandwich

Washington Nationals: Jake and Jake’s Smoked Brisket Sandwich

In collaboration with Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, the Royals will offer a new item this season: the Z-Man Sandwich. It includes slow-smoked beef brisket and provolone cheese on a toasted kaiser roll, topped with two onion rings.

Continue Reading

Sports

Braves GM: No candidate list yet for manager

Published

3 hours ago

on

October 6, 2025

By

Braves GM: No candidate list yet for manager

  • Associated Press

Oct 4, 2025, 01:22 PM ET

ATLANTA — Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Saturday that he hopes to move quickly as he begins his search for a successor to Brian Snitker as manager but that he has not conducted any interviews.

Snitker, 69, announced Wednesday that he won’t return after 10 seasons as the Braves’ manager.

Even though Snitker’s decision wasn’t a surprise, Anthopoulos insisted he wasn’t going to begin compiling a list of candidates before giving the manager time to finalize his plans.

Asked what the Braves would have done if Snitker wanted to return for the 2026 season, Anthopoulos said: “He would have been back. That’s why we were going to wait and give him the time he needed.”

Former Braves catcher and Chicago Cubs skipper David Ross told The Associated Press on Thursday that he wants to manage again. Ross said an opportunity to manage the Braves “would be amazing.”

Anthopoulos insisted “we do not currently have a list” and said “I wanted to get some things done internally” before beginning his search.

“I will now turn my attention to the manager,” Anthopoulos said. “… We have not spoken with anybody.”

Snitker led the Braves to the 2021 World Series championship as the highlight of almost a half-century with the organization. He will remain in an advisory role and will be inducted into the team’s hall of fame next season.

Anthopoulos said he and Snitker have an agreement on a five-year term as senior adviser but added that could change.

Two coaches on Snitker’s staff have experience as a manager. Bench coach Walt Weiss is the Colorado Rockies‘ former manager. Third base coach Fredi González is a former manager with the Braves and Miami Marlins.

There has been speculation that other possible candidates are former Braves infielder Mark DeRosa and Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty. Former Marlins manager Skip Schumaker was named the Texas Rangers‘ skipper Friday night.

“Before Skip Schumaker was named, there were eight openings,” Anthopoulos said. “That’s a lot of openings. … That makes it incredibly challenging.”

Anthopoulos said his timeline to make a hire could be impacted if he focuses on a candidate who is also of interest to another team.

“Of course as soon as possible with so many openings,” Anthopoulos said when asked how soon he hopes to make a hire. “You can’t just rush it or force it. … You’d love to be able to do it sooner than later.”

Snitker posted a record of 811-688 as manager. He ranks third in franchise history in wins, trailing Bobby Cox (2,149) and Frank Selee (1,004). He led the Braves to seven postseasons, including six National League East titles.

Continue Reading

Trending