Seahawks GM Schneider cites Washington millionaire tax as potential recruiting challenge
Authored by sportsite777.com, Mar 16, 2026
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider stated that a "millionaire tax" approved by Washington state lawmakers could hinder the team's ability to recruit and sign free agents. According to Schneider, the legislation would impose a 9.9% tax rate on individuals earning more than $1 million annually, effective in 2028.[1]
Speaking on his Seattle Sports 710-AM radio show this week, Schneider said agents had texted him noting the change eliminates a key part of the team's pitch to players. "There were a bunch of agents texting me the other day like, ‘Hey, can’t use that anymore, buddy,’" Schneider said.[1]
Washington currently levies no state income tax on wages, placing the Seahawks among eight NFL teams in no-income-tax states.[2][3] The others are the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys (Texas), Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins (Florida), Las Vegas Raiders (Nevada) and Tennessee Titans (Tennessee).[3]
The Raiders relocated from Oakland, California, to Las Vegas ahead of the 2020 NFL season.[4] The Titans plan to open a new domed stadium in Nashville in 2027.[5]
NFL agents have described the absence of state income tax as a significant factor in free agent decisions, particularly versus high-tax states like California.[3] Schneider noted the advantage has been "huge" for all Seattle pro teams in competing for talent.
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider highlighted a recent decision by Washington state lawmakers...", Chantz Martin, no specific date (draft report), https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- Tax Foundation, "2024 State Income Tax Rates and Brackets", January 16, 2024, https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/2024-income-tax-rates-and-brackets/
- ESPN, "How taxes factor into NFL free agency decisions", Seth Walder, February 14, 2023, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35794523/how-taxes-factor-nfl-free-agency-decisions
- Seattle Seahawks (official), "Front Office - John Schneider", accessed October 2024, https://www.seahawks.com/team/front-office/john-schneider
- Tennessee Titans (official), "Titans unveil Nissan Stadium as the name of new home opening in 2027", May 14, 2024, https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-unveil-nissan-stadium-as-the-name-of-new-home-opening-in-2027