Seahawks' Sam Darnold Hit with Steep 'Jock Tax' After Super Bowl Win

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Despite only being paid an estimated $178,000 for winning the 2026 Super Bowl, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold will likely pay much more than that in taxes. Adding in the "jock tax," which out-of-state athletes are charged in California, and his $105 million, three-year contract, Darnold could be paying as much as $249,000 in taxes on his win.

Why it matters

The "jock tax" is an additional tax on out-of-state players based on how many "duty days" they spend in the state for a game. This can significantly impact the take-home pay of athletes who compete in high-profile events like the Super Bowl, which is held in a different state each year.

The details

Darnold will be charged for at least eight "duty days" for playing in the Super Bowl alone, as they arrived a week in advance. They'll likely accrue additional days once the 2026 NFL season starts up. With his $105 million, three-year contract with the Seahawks, which also included a $2.5 million bonus for winning the Super Bowl, Darnold's tax bill in California is estimated to be higher than what he made by winning the Super Bowl.

• The 2026 Super Bowl was played on February 8, 2026.
• Darnold and the Seahawks arrived in California a week before the Super Bowl.

What’s next

The article does not mention any specific future newsworthy moments related to this story.