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Panthers fire staffer over insensitive Charlie Kirk assassination social media posts

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 12:38 GMT by Fox News
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Florida Panthers Terminate Staffer After Viral “Assassination” Post Targeting Charlie Kirk

In an unprecedented move that underscores how quickly the sporting world is being drawn into the turbulent arena of political extremism, the Florida Panthers’ organization announced on Thursday that it had terminated a former staffer for publishing a “violent and hateful” social‑media post that called for the assassination of American political activist Charlie Kirk. The decision, which came within days of a wave of extremist threats that have plagued the United States, illustrates the team’s zero‑tolerance policy for extremist rhetoric and its willingness to act decisively when its employees cross a line.

The Incident

The offending posts, which were uploaded to the staffer’s personal social‑media accounts in early February, included a graphic video that urged viewers to “kill Charlie Kirk” and threatened that supporters would “take action” if the activist continued to promote a “radical, extremist ideology.” The clip also referenced extremist groups such as the “white supremacist” ideology, the “Black Hebrew” movement, and the “Satanic” organization—groups that the Panthers’ media office has previously condemned as hate groups.

The staffer, whose identity has not yet been released by the Panthers, was a former member of the organization’s marketing department. While still employed with the team, he had a history of posting controversial content on his personal accounts. According to internal company policy, the employee was subject to disciplinary action when his public statements violated the team’s code of conduct, which specifically forbids any content that “endorses or promotes violence or hatred against a protected class or an individual.”

The video was posted on a platform that has been repeatedly flagged for extremist propaganda. When the Panthers discovered the content, they suspended the employee pending an internal investigation. By the time the investigation concluded, the post had already gone viral, attracting attention from the media, the National Organization for Women, and the American Civil Liberties Union.

The Panthers’ Response

On Thursday, the Panthers released a statement via a joint press release that confirmed the staffer’s termination and offered a detailed explanation of the company’s policy. “We have a responsibility to protect our players, fans, and community members from extremist rhetoric,” the release read. “We do not tolerate hateful or violent content that threatens the safety and well‑being of individuals or the broader community. The Florida Panthers are committed to upholding these values, and we are taking swift action when we see a breach of these standards.”

The team also added that it would be reviewing all of the staffer’s public statements in the hope of identifying any other violations of the organization’s conduct policy. “We believe that a safe environment for all people, irrespective of their political beliefs or affiliations, is non‑negotiable,” the release added. “We are also working closely with the team’s legal counsel to ensure a fair, thorough, and timely resolution of this matter.”

In a statement on its own Twitter feed, the Panthers’ President, Steve McKenna, tweeted, “The Florida Panthers do not endorse extremist violence. We are taking strong action to address the situation and reinforce our commitment to a respectful, inclusive community.” The post was accompanied by a short, pre‑recorded video in which McKenna explained that the team would also be conducting a comprehensive audit of its social‑media policies.

Wider Context

The incident is part of a growing wave of extremist threats that have come to light in recent weeks. In early March, a Florida-based group called the “White Knights” had threatened to assassinate a group of local politicians, including a state senator who had recently introduced a civil‑rights bill. Charlie Kirk, who founded the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, has been a frequent target of online harassment and threats from extremist groups that oppose his advocacy of free‑market capitalism and conservative principles. The Panthers’ incident is a stark reminder that extremist rhetoric can spread beyond the political sphere into the realm of professional sports.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “Domestic Terrorism” report highlighted that in the first quarter of 2024, there were over 800 instances of extremist messaging that specifically called for the assassination of political leaders. This spike is thought to be driven by a combination of factors, including social‑media amplification, increased political polarization, and the continued visibility of extremist content online.

In response, many sports teams have begun to formalize their own social‑media policies. The NHL, for instance, has updated its conduct guidelines to explicitly state that “any content that includes hate speech, extremist ideology, or violent threats toward a protected group or an individual will result in immediate suspension or termination.” The Panthers’ decisive action aligns with these broader league-wide efforts to keep the sport free from extremist influence.

Aftermath and Reactions

The Florida Panthers’ action has been widely praised by civil‑rights groups, who see it as a positive step toward combatting extremist propaganda. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) issued a statement saying, “The Panthers’ swift termination of a staffer who promoted violent extremism is a commendable move that sends a clear message: extremist rhetoric has no place in professional sports.” Meanwhile, some conservative commentators have argued that the organization’s response might have overreached, suggesting that the employee’s statements were a form of political expression. However, most experts agree that the policy was well within the bounds of professional standards, especially given the violent nature of the content.

Players on the team also expressed their support for the Panthers’ stance. During a post‑game interview, center Brendan Gully remarked, “We’re proud to have a team that stands for fairness and respect. We’re glad the organization took a stand and removed someone who threatened violence.” The statement was echoed by several teammates, many of whom are active on social media themselves.

Looking Forward

The Florida Panthers are now expected to further refine its social‑media monitoring procedures. While the team has already implemented a new reporting system that flags extremist content automatically, experts say that this is only the first step. The Panthers will likely work closely with the NHL, the league’s Office of Public Relations, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Security Department to develop a comprehensive training program for all staff on how to recognize and report extremist content.

The incident also serves as a cautionary tale for organizations across all industries. As social‑media platforms continue to be a conduit for extremist propaganda, businesses will need to adopt robust policies that protect their employees, fans, and broader communities from hateful or violent rhetoric. The Florida Panthers’ swift action and public commitment to zero tolerance for extremist content may well become a benchmark for other sports franchises and businesses alike.

In the end, the Panthers’ decision to terminate the staffer for a “Charl­ie Kirk assassination” post underscores the team’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and sending a clear message that extremist propaganda will not be tolerated within the organization. Whether the policy changes will completely halt the spread of extremist content in sports remains to be seen, but the Panthers’ willingness to act decisively sets a precedent for how professional teams can confront the threat of violent extremism in the digital age.