Seahawks GM warns Washington’s new 'millionaire tax' could hurt free agent recruiting

Seattle Seahawks wide manager John Schneider highlighted a caller determination by Washington authorities lawmakers that helium believes could airs problems arsenic the reigning Super Bowl champions look to adhd players to prolong semipermanent success.

Washington’s long-standing presumption arsenic a mostly tax-free authorities is acceptable to alteration successful 2028 aft lawmakers approved a "millionaire tax" that would levy a 9.9% complaint connected precocious earners. 

The taxation volition use to individuals earning much than $1 cardinal annually. Gov. Bob Ferguson has indicated helium volition motion the bill. It is unclear whether the authorities volition look ineligible challenges. Schneider projected the caller taxation deduction could hinder the Seahawks' quality to enlistee and yet motion escaped agents.

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Seattle Seahawks wide manager John Schneider speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine astatine Lucas Oil Stadium Feb. 24, 2026, successful Indianapolis. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

Schneider suggested that portion of the team’s transportation to escaped agents implicit the years has highlighted Washington’s taxation exemptions. 

"There were a clump of agents texting maine the different time like, ‘Hey, can’t usage that anymore, buddy,’" Schneider said this week connected his Seattle Sports 710-AM vigor show.

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"I deliberation it is for each the pro teams present successful town. It's ever been a immense attraction, particularly competing with the California teams. It's been a large woody for us. So, it's going to sting, from a recruiting standpoint and what that looks like. I'm definite Mike Reinfeldt and Mickey Loomis and each the headdress guys that person been present before, too, are looking astatine this like, ‘Dang.’"

The Super Bowl LX trophy solemnisation astatine Lumen Field Feb. 11, 2026, successful Seattle.  (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

As of 2026, the Seahawks are 1 of 8 NFL clubs based successful a authorities that does not enforce income taxation connected idiosyncratic wages.

Two of those teams, the Texans and Cowboys, are based successful Texas, portion 3 of those teams play location games successful Florida: the Jaguars, Buccaneers and Dolphins. The Raiders relocated from California to the neighboring tax-free Nevada successful 2020, portion the Titans are acceptable to unfastened a multibillion-dollar domed stadium successful Nashville, Tennessee, successful 2027.

Seattle Seahawks helmets earlier a crippled betwixt the Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons astatine Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 7, 2025, successful Atlanta. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

"It's going to beryllium a problem, and hopefully it doesn't happen," an unnamed NFL cause told ESPN erstwhile asked astir thoughts connected the imaginable interaction the caller taxes could person connected the Seahawks.

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While it remains unclear whether the caller taxes volition power NFL players’ decisions astir signing with the Seahawks, an MLB subordinate precocious cited California’s higher taxation rates successful his determination to crook down a woody with the San Diego Padres.

Merrill Kelly, who entered the escaped cause marketplace aft pitching successful 10 games with the Texas Rangers successful 2025, past period agreed to a woody to instrumentality to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kelly agreed to a two-year declaration worthy an estimated $40 cardinal with the Diamondbacks, according to ESPN. Although the Padres offered a comparable woody astatine 3 years alternatively of two, California’s 13% taxation complaint connected income supra $1 cardinal proved a cardinal difference.

"I don’t deliberation it’s immoderate concealed connected however overmuch wealth you get taken retired of your pouch erstwhile you spell to California," the right-hander told "Foul Territory."

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