The topic of state income taxes for NHL players, particularly regarding the Florida Panthers` advantage due to Florida having no state income tax, has recently become a significant point of discussion. This followed comments made by analyst Paul Bissonnette on `NHL on TNT`. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the issue during the network`s broadcast on Monday, calling the entire debate “ridiculous.”
Speaking before Game 3, Bettman stated, “When the Florida teams weren’t good, which was for about 17 years, OK, nobody said anything about it.” He argued that players` primary motivations when choosing a team are not tax implications. Instead, he emphasized factors such as joining a strong organization, living in a desirable location where they want to raise their families and send kids to school, playing in modern arenas with excellent training facilities, and being comfortable with the ownership, general manager, coach, and teammates.
Bettman further pointed out that some major NHL markets, like Los Angeles and New York City, have significantly high state taxes.
He reiterated that the desire to win is the main driving force for players. While acknowledging that taxes *might* be a minor consideration *if all other factors were perfectly equal*, he suggested this is rarely the case. He questioned whether leagues should consider subsidizing teams located in high-tax jurisdictions.
The recent success of `Sun Belt` teams in the NHL appears to have intensified this debate among fans and analysts. The Florida Panthers are currently in their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final, and the Tampa Bay Lightning reached three straight Finals from 2020 to 2022, winning the Cup in 2020 and 2021.
However, Florida isn`t unique among NHL states in lacking a state income tax. The Dallas Stars also benefit from this, yet they have not won a Stanley Cup since 1998-99 and have been eliminated in the Western Conference Final in each of the last three seasons, suggesting tax policy alone does not guarantee on-ice success.
