Richard Sherman Just Told Us Why Washington's New Tax Law is a Huge Problem for the Seahawks
The free agent pitch just got a lot harder in Seattle. Washington state lawmakers passed a "millionaire tax" that's coming in 2028, and it's going to cost the Seahawks one of their biggest recruiting weapons. A 9.9% levy on annual income over $1 million starting in 2028 sounds dry until you realize what it means: that tax-free advantage that's been dangling in front of every star player considering the Emerald City just got a lot smaller. Governor Bob Ferguson plans to sign it, though legal challenges could still come.
The Tax Hit That Changes Everything
Richard Sherman, the legendary cornerback who spent years in that Seattle secondary, got real about what this means. On his podcast March 16, he broke down exactly why losing the no-income-tax angle stings so much more here than it would anywhere else.
"I think it definitely plays a huge factor," Sherman said. "If a guy is thinking about going there and he understands he has to deal with that big number for state tax, at least you can sell him on the weather, probably 300 days of sunshine, or 285 days of sunshine, whatever it is. If you're going to New York, you can sell them the big city and all the allure that comes with New York City. But for Seattle, a lot of the draw is because it's a smaller market, and you don't have to deal with state income tax."
Do the math. On a $10 million deal, that tax savings could be about a million bucks. Now that's gone, or at least it's going to be a serious talking point in every negotiation. Seattle sits alongside only seven other NFL markets without state income tax: Las Vegas, Houston, Dallas, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Miami, and Jacksonville. That's been huge leverage for the Seahawks.
The Big Money Might Still Work
Sherman wasn't doom and gloom about it completely, though. "If the number's big enough, guys are still going to come play for the Seahawks," he said. "But it's definitely going to make it more of a conversation than it's been."
Translation: the Seahawks will just have to pay more. That competitive advantage has flipped from being a pro into a con.
GM John Schneider Feels the Pain
Team brass knows it too. General Manager John Schneider told listeners on Seattle Sports 710-AM radio March 12 that agents are already piling on. "There were a bunch of agents texting me the other day like, 'Hey, can't use that anymore, buddy,'" he said. "It's always been a huge attraction, especially competing with the California teams. It's going to sting, from a recruiting standpoint. It's going to sting, no question about it."
The Seahawks have leaned on this tax advantage for years. Now Mike Macdonald's squad is going to have to out-offer teams or find other reasons to sell free agents on Seattle. That's a tougher pitch than it used to be.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.