Overview

• Bettman called the issue “ridiculous” during a TNT appearance, asking whether players ever chose teams based on tax tables
• Six teams in states without income tax—Florida, Tampa Bay, Vegas, Dallas, Nashville and Seattle—may benefit from an innate financial edge in attracting talent
• An AFP Consulting study found no-tax teams have qualified for the playoffs at a higher rate since 2016, though experts stress management, coaching and market appeal also matter
• Brad Marchand highlighted that up to a 15 percent tax differential can substantially influence free agency decisions for players
• Analyst Paul Bissonnette and tax specialist Alan Pogroszewski suggest that the next CBA could include cap adjustments to offset state tax imbalances