Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola has reportedly withdrawn himself from consideration as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of the Army, according to Bloomberg. The Miami Herald’s George Richards confirmed the report.
Bloomberg notes that Viola is the first Trump nominee to withdraw from consideration.
Viola wasn’t able to separate himself from his business interests, though it’s unclear if the Panthers were the factor or if it was another facet.
The full extent of Viola’s financial holdings and ownership stakes in other companies would’ve been detailed in ethics and financial disclosure forms to be filed as the nomination process unfolded. Without them, it’s difficult to know what business arrangements tripped him up. This is the first Trump nominee to withdraw from consideration.
Again, it might not be about the Panthers:
the idea this is about a hockey team doesn't stand up to much scrutiny, does it?
— Matt Leising | matthewl.eth (@mattleising) February 4, 2017
It’s nonetheless an interesting development on an odd Friday of off-the-ice hockey stories, from Connecticut flirting with the New York Islanders, the Islanders making something of a non-statement about that and the Arizona Coyotes seemingly facing a setback when it comes to their eternal struggle to find a steady home.
Big blow to Trump admin to lose Army Secretary pick.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) February 4, 2017
Viola unable to sufficiently untangle from financial holdings.https://t.co/raaDj6S3Yb