A Florida Panthers employee has reportedly been fired after photos of the team's new center ice logo were leaked on social media.
“FLA Cats Hockey Podcast” host David Rodriguez said: Posted photograph He unveiled what appears to be a new centre-ice logo ahead of the 2024-2025 NHL season, and after revealing the design for the new rink, he asked his followers, “Is this real?”
It turned out the photo Rodriguez took was actually of the rink at Ameranto Bank Arena on New Year's Day, and the team made it official in a post of their own.
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A full view of the ice surface, featuring the arena's new name and 30th anniversary logo, before a preseason game between the Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators at Amerante Bank Arena on September 25, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
“Center ice is fit for champions,” the Panthers, the team that won the Stanley Cup earlier this year, posted on social media.
“This year, our shield is back at center ice,” the post continued, “and for the first time in franchise history, the circle is filled with the color red.”
“The sun looks a little different in South Florida, and the shield is placed over the sun's rays, inspired by the embossed pattern on the Stanley Cup.”
The Panthers' post came about an hour after Rodriguez released his follower count, and reports say the post led to a team employee being fired.
Florida Panthers 30th Anniversary Logo (Elliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
Talk show host and reporter Andy Slater said he had heard from “multiple sources” that “the employee who took the photo has been fired.”
Florida bounced back with last season's Stanley Cup after losing to the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2022-2023 season.
The Panthers shot themselves in the foot by taking a 3-0 lead against the Edmonton Oilers, needing a Game 7 to decide the champion.
Florida Panthers logo (Elliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
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But the faithful Panthers fans who flocked to Amerant Bank Arena were not disappointed as Florida defeated Edmonton in Game 7 to win the team's first Stanley Cup at home.
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