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Longview Today
By the People, for the People
Seahawks GM Warns 'Millionaires Tax' Will Impact Team
New Washington state tax on high earners could make it harder to retain top talent.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:50pm
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Seahawks general manager John Schneider expressed concerns that Washington's new 'millionaires tax' on high-income earners will negatively impact the team's ability to retain top talent, as the average NFL player salary now exceeds $5 million per year.
Why it matters
Professional sports teams in Washington state rely on being able to offer competitive salaries to attract and keep the best players. This new tax could make it more difficult for teams like the Seahawks to keep up with other states without similar high-earner taxes.
The details
The new tax, signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson, will apply a 5% surcharge on income over $1 million for individuals and $2 million for couples filing jointly. With the average NFL salary around $5.2 million in 2025, this could have a significant impact on the Seahawks' ability to offer market-rate contracts to their players.
- On March 31, 2026, Governor Ferguson signed the 'millionaires tax' into law.
The players
John Schneider
The general manager of the Seattle Seahawks NFL team.
Bob Ferguson
The governor of the state of Washington who signed the 'millionaires tax' into law.
What they’re saying
“With the average NFL salary in 2025 standing at about $5.2 million, according to SI.com, every Seahawk could be affected.”
— John Schneider, General Manager
What’s next
The Seahawks and other Washington sports teams will likely lobby the state legislature to reconsider or modify the new 'millionaires tax' to avoid potential impacts on their ability to retain top talent.
The takeaway
This new tax policy in Washington state could put the Seahawks and other professional sports franchises at a competitive disadvantage compared to teams in states without similar high-earner taxes, potentially making it harder for them to attract and keep the best players.
