Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider highlighted a recent decision by Washington state lawmakers that he believes could pose problems as the reigning Super Bowl champions look to add players to sustain long-term success.

Washington’s long-standing status as a largely tax-free state is set to change in 2028 after lawmakers approved a “millionaire tax” that would levy a 9.9% rate on high earners. 

The tax will apply to individuals earning more than $1 million annually. Gov. Bob Ferguson has indicated he will sign the bill. It is unclear whether the legislation will face legal challenges. Schneider projected the new tax deduction could hinder the Seahawks’ ability to recruit and ultimately sign free agents.

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Schneider suggested that part of the team’s pitch to free agents over the years has highlighted Washington’s tax exemptions. 

“There were a bunch of agents texting me the other day like, ‘Hey, can’t use that anymore, buddy,’” Schneider said this week on his Seattle Sports 710-AM radio show.

SEAHAWKS GM JOHN SCHNEIDER GOES VIRAL AFTER AWKWARD KENNETH WALKER III CONTRACT TALK AT SUPER BOWL LX PARADE

“I think it is for all the pro teams here in town. It’s always been a huge attraction, especially competing with the California teams. It’s been a big deal for us. So, it’s going to sting, from a recruiting standpoint and what that looks like. I’m sure Mike Reinfeldt and Mickey Loomis and all the cap guys that have been here before, too, are looking at this like, ‘Dang.’”

The Super Bowl LX trophy celebration at Lumen Field Feb. 11, 2026, in Seattle.  (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

As of 2026, the Seahawks are one of eight NFL clubs based in a state that does not impose income tax on personal wages.

Two of those teams, the Texans and Cowboys, are based in Texas, while three of those teams play home games in Florida: the Jaguars, Buccaneers and Dolphins. The Raiders relocated from California to the neighboring tax-free Nevada in 2020, while the Titans are set to open a multibillion-dollar domed stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2027.

Seattle Seahawks helmets before a game between the Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

“It’s going to be a problem, and hopefully it doesn’t happen,” an unnamed NFL agent told ESPN when asked about thoughts on the potential impact the new taxes could have on the Seahawks.

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While it remains unclear whether the new taxes will influence NFL players’ decisions about signing with the Seahawks, an MLB player recently cited California’s higher tax rates in his decision to turn down a deal with the San Diego Padres.

Merrill Kelly, who entered the free agent market after pitching in 10 games with the Texas Rangers in 2025, last month agreed to a deal to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kelly agreed to a two-year contract worth an estimated $40 million with the Diamondbacks, according to ESPN. Although the Padres offered a comparable deal at three years instead of two, California’s 13% tax rate on income above $1 million proved a key difference.

“I don’t think it’s any secret on how much money you get taken out of your pocket when you go to California,” the right-hander told “Foul Territory.”

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The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese got some new fuels Friday. 

A clip is making the rounds of Clark ignoring Reese’s gesture for a high-five during a game for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. As Reese held her hand out for her Team USA teammate, Clark walked in the other direction.

The U.S. won the game 91-48 over Puerto Rico.

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There has been suspected tension between Clark and Reese dating back to their meeting in the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball championship game. 

Reese taunted Clark by pointing to her ring finger during the game, prompting outrage and sparking an ongoing feud between fans. 

Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes got revenge on Reese’s LSU Tigers a year later in the Elite Eight, but the tension hit a whole new level when the players reached the pros for their rookie WNBA seasons.

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LSU’s Angel Reese, right, reacts in front of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark during the second half of the NCAA national championship April 2, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

In their first WNBA season in 2024, Clark took a series of questionable fouls from Reese’s Sky throughout the 2024 season, including one from Reese June 16. 

In 2025, the two had a heated exchange after Reese pushed Fever forward Natasha Howard in the back as she grabbed an offensive rebound off a miss by teammate Rebecca Allen. Reese brought the ball low, and Clark fouled her before she went up for a shot. Reese fell to the ground.

Reese got up from the floor and got into the face of Clark.

Referees reviewed the play and determined Clark used her left hand to shove Reese to the floor. They upgraded the personal foul on Clark to a flagrant foul. And Reese and Aliyah Boston of the Fever were issued technical fouls.

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Angel Reese (5) of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark (22) of the Indiana Fever during the second half June 23, 2024, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“Nothing malicious about it, just a good take foul,” Clark told ESPN’s Holly Rowe.

Now, the two stars are teammates for the U.S. as they try to make the FIBA World Cup, but fans can probably still sense an awkward dynamic between them. 

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The 2026 College Basketball Invitational has been canceled, leaving the College Basketball Crown as the only men’s postseason tournament besides the NCAA and NIT.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, the CBI will not be held this year,” the CBI announced in a social media post Thursday. “We will see you next year!”

Messages seeking comment were left with the Gazelle Group, the New Jersey-based sports marketing firm that has put on the CBI since 2008.

The CollegeInsider.com Tournament folded last year.

Teams participating in the CBI and CollegeInsider.com tournaments were required to pay an entry fee.

The CBI had 16-team fields from 2008 to ’19 and was considered the third-best postseason tournament behind the NCAA and NIT. The tournament was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic, had an eight-team field in 2021 and was back to 16 teams for 2022 and ’23. There were 14 teams in ’24 before dropping to 11 in ’25.

The Crown had a 16-team field for its inaugural tournament last year but will have eight teams this year. The Crown is an attractive option for teams that miss the NCAA tournament because participating teams receive name, image and likeness payments to divide among their players.