The subject of state taxes in various NHL markets has recently become a significant talking point. This conversation gained traction after analyst Paul Bissonnette on `NHL on TNT` highlighted that Florida Panthers players do not face state income tax. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed this issue on Monday`s broadcast, dismissing it as “ridiculous.”
“For the roughly 17 years when the Florida teams weren`t successful, nobody raised this point,” Bettman stated before Game 3. “If you were a player, were you focused on tax rates? No, your priorities were finding a strong organization, a desirable place to live and raise a family, excellent schools, top-tier facilities, and a comfortable relationship with ownership, management, and coaching.”
Bettman further noted that some major markets, such as Los Angeles and New York City, impose very high state taxes.
“Ultimately, the motivation is having great teammates and a real opportunity to compete for a championship,” he added. “Could taxes be a slight consideration if every other factor were perfectly balanced? Perhaps, but that`s rarely the case. And consider locations with high state taxes like LA and New York – should those teams receive financial assistance because of that?”
The recent period of success for “Sun Belt” NHL teams seems to have intensified this discussion among fans and analysts. The Florida Panthers, for instance, are competing in their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final, having won it last season. Similarly, the Tampa Bay Lightning reached three consecutive Finals from 2020 to 2022, securing championships in 2020 and 2021.
However, Florida isn`t the only team with a state tax advantage. The Dallas Stars also operate in a state without income tax, yet they haven`t won a Stanley Cup since the 1998-99 season and have been eliminated in the Western Conference Final for the past three years.
