An idea to remove the cap advantage for no tax states

[Cancuks]

A lot of talk lately about certain teams without income tax having an unfair advantage with the salary cap as they're able to sign players at a discount. Not much talk about how to fix it but I have one fairly simple idea (in theory). Fans of these teams won't like it but how about no tax teams don't get the cap increase that is going to be taking place over the next few seasons? It's expected to go past $100 million in 3 seasons or so, well how about no tax teams stay at $88 million or at least have a reduced cap increase compared to every other team.

Eventually the league settles on a certain percentage, whether it's 15-25% less than other teams - at least this advantage will be taken away from them. It might be complicated to have two different salary caps but perhaps its worth a try. Thoughts?

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[Jacob]

Just pass laws at the state/provincial level that says athletes are exempt from state income taxes.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Just pass laws at the state/provincial level that says athletes are exempt from state income taxes.

How about no? Yea, tax me to holy hell but please don’t tax my favourite athletes. Sounds ludicrous. I am sorry.

 

[GrumpyKoala]

Just pass laws at the state/provincial level that says athletes are exempt from state income taxes.

The thing I do with a keyboard seem pretty athletic to me. I am in!

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

Should we also apply cap adjustments to teams who are in markets where more endorsement deals are available? What about adjustments for cost of living? Should we update cap for changes in the currency exchange rate?

The answer is no. Florida was a loser franchise for years, and players had no interest in sacrificing money to go there. Canadian fans complained about the fact that there is a franchise in Florida for two decades. Now that Florida is winning, they want to reduce their ability to compete. Winning is driving Florida’s contracts down, not tax dollars.

 

[tucker3434]

As I’ve said many times before, a soft cap would accomplish what you guys are trying to do by “fixing” taxes but much more easily(/cheaply). Owners don’t want it. It’s all just a solution with no problem.

 

[Moose Head]

The cap is about cost certainty, not fairness. Bettman has no interest in getting rid of the ‘tax advantage’. No shock it tends to help teams more in newer/southern markets which is Bettmans wet dream.

 

[jd22]

Just pass laws at the state/provincial level that says athletes are exempt from state income taxes.

What in the everloving blue f*** idea is this garbage? If a troll, a good one.

 

[BruinDust]

No one complained when these so-called small markets weren't competitive and saw more of their stars leave via free agency than they did retaining them. When Florida were missing the playoffs year after year no one said boo about their no-state tax advantage.

Fans need to stop crying about shit like this, same with all they bellyaching and crying about the use of LTIR.

 

[weastern bias]

Or, just get over it

I live in an area with high income tax rates, free agents never sign with my team, it's not a big deal

 

[JaegerDice]

The NHLPA would never agree to having less total money in the system by limiting cap space for certain teams.

Besides, the tax issue really isnt as big a deal as some are making it out to be.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

A lot of talk lately about certain teams without income tax having an unfair advantage with the salary cap as they're able to sign players at a discount. Not much talk about how to fix it but I have one fairly simple idea (in theory). Fans of these teams won't like it but how about no tax teams don't get the cap increase that is going to be taking place over the next few seasons? It's expected to go past $100 million in 3 seasons or so, well how about no tax teams stay at $88 million or at least have a reduced cap increase compared to every other team.

Eventually the league settles on a certain percentage, whether it's 15-25% less than other teams - at least this advantage will be taken away from them. It might be complicated to have two different salary caps but perhaps its worth a try. Thoughts?

1. Terrible idea.
2. The advantage is nowhere near 15-25% lol

 

[895]

To be more fair, I propose we lower the Toronto Maple Leafs cap because too many pyjamas boys want to sign there.

 

[GhostfaceWu]

Just find out whatever the overall percentage that tax free teams get over every other team and than allow said teams to go over it by the exact same percentage.

 

[Drake1588]

If you don't want certain provinces/states to enjoy workplace benefits due to their lower taxes, then pass legislation to stop taxing your people to blue hell and let people keep more of their money.

The myriad benefits extend well beyond the world of sport.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

How about no? Yea, tax me to holy hell but please don’t tax my favourite athletes. Sounds ludicrous. I am sorry.

I think your sarcasm detector is broken.

 

[tfwnogf]

crabs in a bucket mentality. why not advocate your province/state to lower their taxes for millionaires?

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

The NHLPA would never agree to having less total money in the system by limiting cap space for certain teams.

Besides, the tax issue really isnt as big a deal as some are making it out to be.

Agree on the NHLPA not agreeing to limit cap space.

The no state tax feels like the excuse de-jour any time that some team doesn't get the player they want. Let's ignore the fact that that there a myriad of other player quality of life issues that have nothing to do with taxes? How about small things like competent management (at least from a recent perspective), the ability to lead a public life, reduced media coverage, and potentially either nightlife and/or the climate.

What U.S. team had the most success signing UFA's over the last 30 years? IMO - it would be the NY Rangers, who are amongst the worst tax jurisdictions.

People want parity - how about salary caps for front office/scouting, limited "up front" money, no ability to spend past the midpoint of the cap, etc. Some things are impossible to to address (climate, media, etc.)

 

[norrisnick]

crabs in a bucket mentality. why not advocate your province/state to lower their taxes for millionaires?

Wrong way round. Advocate for the higher taxation of millionaires.

 

[Sanderson]

As I’ve said many times before, a soft cap would accomplish what you guys are trying to do by “fixing” taxes but much more easily(/cheaply). Owners don’t want it. It’s all just a solution with no problem.

A soft cap wouldn't accomplish anything at all, and it certainly wouldn't fix any part of this issue, as it would be completely disconnected from who is paying which sort of taxes.

Not that there is anything to fix here in the first place. The issue is way overblown. Not to mention that it ignores that there are plenty of other rules, regulations and local circumstances which have an impact on player-income as well. The cap is working fine as it is. The only thing they need to fix is the stupid LTIR-loophole for the playoffs.

 

[tfwnogf]

Wrong way round. Advocate for the higher taxation of millionaires.

then they won't play in your city...which is the point of this thread.

 

[justHypnos]

If you don't want certain provinces/states to enjoy workplace benefits due to their lower taxes, then pass legislation to stop taxing your people to blue hell and let people keep more of their money.

The myriad benefits extend well beyond the world of sport.

I agree however the league already capped the spending of the rich teams instead of making the poor teams work harder to make money. Therefore you shouldn’t save one and not the other.

 

[norrisnick]

then they won't play in your city...which is the point of this thread.

They won't play in my city anyway. But the point remains that higher taxes on millionaires helps everything.

 

[tucker3434]

A soft cap wouldn't accomplish anything at all, and it certainly wouldn't fix any part of this issue, as it would be completely disconnected from who is paying which sort of taxes.

Not that there is anything to fix here in the first place. The issue is way overblown. Not to mention that it ignores that there are plenty of other rules, regulations and local circumstances which have an impact on player-income as well. The cap is working fine as it is. The only thing they need to fix is the stupid LTIR-loophole for the playoffs.

Nobody cares how much money these millionaires are taking home. They just want their teams to be able to spend more money. With a soft cap, we can quit pretending like we care about taxes and cut to the chase.

If the owners aren’t willing to do that, they definitely won’t be willing to do any of these other more difficult or complex proposals.

 

[cowboy82nd]

I agree however the league already capped the spending of the rich teams instead of making the poor teams work harder to make money. Therefore you shouldn’t save one and not the other.

The league did NOT cap the spending of rich teams. The league capped the salary of players on all teams. All teams can spend whatever they want on staff and facilities.