A Florida Panthers employee has reportedly been fired after an image of the team's new center court logo was leaked on social media.
David Rodriguez, host of the “FLA Cats Hockey Podcast,” posted a photo of what he believed to be the new center rink logo ahead of the 2024-2025 NHL season. He asked his followers, “Is this real?” after revealing the new rink design.
It turns out the photo Rodriguez took was in fact of the Amerant Bank Arena ice skating rink for New Year's, as the team made official with a post of their own.
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A general view of the ice surface showing the new arena name and 30th anniversary logo before the preseason game between the Florida Panthers and the Nashville Predators at Amerant 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 crest returns to the center of the court,” the post continued. “And for the first time in franchise history, the circle is filled with red.
“The sun looks a little different in South Florida. 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 showed off his followers and reportedly cost a team employee his job.
The Florida Panthers 30th Anniversary Logo (Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
Talk show host and reporter Andy Slater was told by “multiple sources” that “the employee who took this photo has been fired.”
Florida found redemption in the Stanley Cup last season after previously being defeated by the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2022-2023 campaign.
The Panthers made it harder on themselves, as they held a 3-0 lead against the Edmonton Oilers before needing a Game 7 to determine the champion.
The Florida Panthers logo (Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
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But loyal Panthers fans at Amerant Bank Arena were not disappointed as Florida beat Edmonton in Game 7 and the team lifted its first Stanley Cup on home ice.
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