NHL Commissioner Addresses State Tax Controversy

In recent weeks, the impact of state taxes on player location choices in certain NHL cities has become a prominent topic of discussion. This conversation gained traction after `NHL on TNT` analyst Paul Bissonnette raised the point about Florida Panthers players benefiting from not having to pay state income tax. Speaking on the network`s broadcast on Monday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman dismissed the issue, labeling it “ridiculous.”

“When the Florida teams were struggling, which was for approximately 17 years, no one mentioned this,” Bettman stated before Game 3. He questioned whether players, during his time playing, consulted tax tables. Instead, he argued, their priorities were joining strong organizations, finding desirable places to live and raise families, playing in top-tier arenas with excellent training facilities, and feeling comfortable with the ownership, management, and coaching staff.

Bettman further elaborated, pointing out that cities like Los Angeles and New York City have significantly high state taxes.

He emphasized that having quality teammates and a genuine chance to win are the primary motivators for players. While he conceded that taxes *might* be a minor factor if all other aspects were perfectly equal, he maintained that this is generally not the case. Bettman posed the question of whether the league should consider subsidizing teams in high-tax states like New York and Los Angeles.

The recent success enjoyed by teams in the “Sun Belt” region has likely contributed to this debate among fans and analysts. The Florida Panthers are currently making their third consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Final and recently won the championship. Similarly, the Tampa Bay Lightning reached three straight Stanley Cup Finals between 2020 and 2022, securing victories in both 2020 and 2021.

However, Florida isn`t the only state without an income tax that could potentially offer a tax advantage. The Dallas Stars also benefit from the absence of state taxes but have not won a Stanley Cup since the 1998-99 season and have been eliminated in the Western Conference Final in each of the last three playoff runs.