Did you know that Seattle's Winning QB lost money playing in the Super Bowl?

Question

Is it any wonder that people are fleeing California due to high taxes?

In this year's Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots, 29-13.

Seattle's Quarterback (QB) is Sam Darnold, who gets paid US$178,00 for playing in the game. That's a tidy sum. But due to California's tax laws, he now owes the state U$249,000 in taxes.

That's a loss of US$71,000 that he has to pay from his own pocket.

How does that happen?

Well, California's "jock taxes" require pro athletes who don't live in the state to fork over percentages of their yearly income based on the number of days they work in California. Since Seattle is in the NFC Western Division, they play the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers during the regular season, and they also played the Rams in the playoffs. Those games create the tax headache for Sam Darnold.

By the way, Darnold already has to pay California income tax on the pay he earned playing in games in California.

Interestingly, if the game were played outside California, he would only have to pay that state's income tax rate on his game earnings. Or if it were played in Miami Florida, for example, where there is no state income tax, he would most likely pocket all of his earnings.

What do you think of this?

NathanDavis · Accepted Answer

this is not a "California thing"

as far I know... only Texas, Florida, Nevada and a couple other I don't remember DO NOT have this taxation... all other states in the USA have it, even some cities add their own extra taxation

also... all of these contracts for athletes are signed considering the fact that one way or another, taxes will eat at least and never less than 44% of any money you make?

and at least in soccer, the clubs make sure to absorb the cost of any tax... not sure if the NFL, NBA or MLB do that as well though... I doubt it

lightbulb27 · Accepted Answer

I'd like to know where the leauge is getting the 100 million to pay his 3 year contract. I don't care about that tax.

should charge an oxygen tax because they are breathing hard and using more of it. Lets say 2% of their net worth.

I don't hav ea problem with Sam or the league. I have a problem with the idiots paying to watch these games and buy the crap they advertise with their hard earned $. their stupid decision is on them, I'm not part of it.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Luckily he got a $4M incentive for winning the Super Bowl to cover it. This was a worse try than all your FEMA lying.

douride2 · Accepted Answer

Sounds pretty bad to me.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

There is a reason why people are fleeing the state of California.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

That’s a helluva stretch.
Here’s Darnold’s contract details:
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/25098/sam-darnold

I’m sure he’s doing just fine.

California is out of control and getting worse though. However, i don’t worry about how it’s affecting the super rich at all.

loveslongnails · Answer

Here's what I think: Sam Darnold's cash earnings for 2025, including salary and bonuses, were roughly 40 million dollars. Do I care if it cost him $71,000 to win the Super Bowl? Hell no. Does HE care? Hell no. If you were to ask any player on the field "Hey, would you pay $71,000 for a guaranteed Super Bowl win?" They'd say "Hell yeah".

Do I think it's stupid as well? Yes, that too. California should do better than that.

With that said, the NFL has real leverage if they every wanted to use it: * No more home games in California for the Rams, Chargers or 49'ers. Move them ALL out of state and tell California to repeal the law or make it more sensible. Major League Baseball and the NHL, NBA could also join in putting pressure on the state. The fans would go nuts too. They have real leverage, but do they care to use it?

KostasKouvalis · Answer

I've never heard of this! That is absolute bullshit! That's so weird to me because they're registered in Seattle.

Nah, I don't believe this. Do you know how confusing this would be on their IRS form especially if they're playing in so many states.

I was officially registered as a vendor in Nevada and didn't get any tax form from Nevada. Yeah, I call bullshit. People travel out of state for work all the time. From what YOU'RE saying, big rig truckers have to pay taxes to every state they drive through. Performers every state they perform in. Every employee who does an out of state/out of country business trip. Do you know how confusing that would be when your taxes are due? Yeah, I call bullshit! If it's true, it's most likely the COMPANY that would be taxed. Yeah, I call bullshit because people travel for work to other states all the time. I'm pretty sure they can't tax you unless you have a residency in that state. I call bullshit

Friendlybro79 · Answer

I think you're adding all his jock tax owed for the year and subtracting that from one game he earned money on. The fair way is total money made in the state in California minus total jock tax owed, if you didn't do this already.

I think he made a lot more money overall than 99% of people in the world to play a game. Granted this game is horrible on your body and I'm glad he's compensated well.

What was his net pay for the year not just what he owes in taxes to one state. I think the better question is the jock taxes legal or fair.

Shiprex · Answer

Earning that amount of money for basically 10 minutes work does not make me feel sorry for him. I am pretty sure he's still gonna be a millionaire while the chumps paying to watch him have to work 2 years for his 10 minutes of "labour".

CalmUntilAbused · Answer

I did not, since I have literally no interest in the Super Bowl (I am Polish, after all). It does not surprise me, though, given that California is a borderline communist state. That's how socialism always works. Do I care? Yeah, kind of. He might be an actual jock, and I might have next to no sympathy for those, but if it is against a borderline communist state, I am still willing to support Him.

exitseven · Answer

that is amazing. And to think after getting all that tax revenue it still has the largest budget deficit in the country, No wonder people and businesses are leaving.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

So? Sorry but, I really couldn't give a shit about football.

Massageman · Answer

Simply one more reason to avoid that state.

CuriousMufuxka · Answer

Oh darn, poor guy. That ring and quieting down a lot haters will never compare to that nominal fee!

Likes2drive · Answer

Sounds messed up and doesn’t work because you can’t owe more than you make, I think he needs a good tax accountant

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Wealthy folk will always choose the California lifestyle and hot babes !!!

slatyb · Answer

Can you be more specific about how this works? How much was he paid for the season, and what tax did he owe to California?

RavVid · Answer

Why do Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers have any players if the tax rate is so high? Paying to play seems to be a dud concept.

Anonymous · Answer

The important thing here is the Seahawks won 🏆 (i was cheering / they're my team) And let us remember the laws and even the Bible  "The importance of paying taxes - Cesar salad" etc 🥗

Anonymous · Answer

I wonder why California needs so much tax revenue.

Iron_Man · Answer

Sucks very bad. Bad government laws

noohair · Answer

This is sick. Californication...

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