Some probably think so, but free agent star Jordan Poyer said it: Pro athletes are thinking about state taxes when they think about where to play next in free agency.
There are so many things that go into the free agent process, but the finances of new league deals are one of the biggest factors that attract a player to join a new team. Of course, state taxes get involved when looking at the grand total on the game day check.
Poyer has become one of the best safeties in the NFL during his time with the Buffalo Bills after joining them in 2017. He signed a four-year, $13 million deal back then and received a two-year extension in 2021. worth $19.5 million.
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Jordan Poyer of the Buffalo Bills looks on before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
Poyer made the first-team All-Pro in 2021 and earned a Pro Bowl offer last season.
Speaking on his podcast this week, Poyer discussed where he could go in free agency and said state taxes are among the boxes to check.
«I would love to go to a state that won’t take half my money,» he said. “It’s crazy to me how taxes work. Some people will say, ‘You’re already making X amount of money.’ Taxes play an important role in all of our lives.»
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In New York state, Poyer is in the tax bracket where he earns between $5,000,001 and $25,000,000 a year. So that means she is paying $450,500 plus 10.3% of the amount over $5,000,000 at the end of the day in taxes.
Although Poyer lives better than most thanks to his lucrative contract, those numbers don’t always add up the way people think after paying their taxes.
Now if Poyer played in Florida, that’s a different story. Florida has no state income taxes, so many athletes are intrigued to join a team there.
Jordan Poyer of the Buffalo Bills looks on during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins were mentioned on the podcast, and Poyer is already friends with their quarterback Tua Tagovailoa despite being AFC East rivals with the Bills.
«If it wasn’t Buffalo, it would be nice to be hot,» Poyer said. «It would be nice to see the sun, maybe, every week or so. Every two weeks at least.»
However, Poyer is excited to see where the free agency process takes him.
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«I know how to play this game. I know how to prepare for this game,» he said. «This offseason has already started very well, improving my body. I feel really good right now.»
«I’m not quite sure what to expect. I know I’m a ballplayer, so whatever team has J-Po I think it’s going to be better.»
Other than Florida, Texas, Washington, Tennessee, Alaska, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Hampshire, and Nevada have no income tax.
Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer (21) addresses the media following the NFL football team’s training camp in Pittsford, NY on Sunday, July 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
That means, if Poyer isn’t looking for big Uncle Sam deductions, he can pick the Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders.
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The NFL free agency period begins March 15 at 4 pm ET.