Seahawks GM warns Washington's 'millionaire tax' could hurt free agent recruiting

Seattle executive says new state tax could make it harder to attract top talent.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 2:36am

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Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider has expressed concerns that Washington state's new 'millionaire tax' could negatively impact the team's ability to recruit top free agent players. The tax, which applies to individuals earning over $1 million per year, was recently passed by state lawmakers.

Why it matters

The Seahawks are one of Washington state's most prominent professional sports franchises, and their ability to attract and retain top talent is crucial to the team's long-term success. Schneider's warning highlights the potential unintended consequences of the new tax policy on the state's economy and business climate.

The details

Schneider stated that the new tax, which will take effect in 2027, could make it more difficult for the Seahawks to compete with teams in states without similar high-income taxes when recruiting free agents. He noted that players often consider the tax implications of signing with a team in addition to the contract offer.

  • The Washington state 'millionaire tax' was recently passed by state lawmakers and will take effect in 2027.

The players

John Schneider

The general manager of the Seattle Seahawks, one of the NFL's most successful franchises over the past decade.

Washington state lawmakers

The state legislators who recently passed a new 'millionaire tax' that will apply to individuals earning over $1 million per year in the state.

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What they’re saying

“We must be mindful of the new 'millionaire tax' and how it could impact our ability to recruit top free agent talent to the Seahawks.”

— John Schneider, General Manager, Seattle Seahawks

What’s next

The Seahawks organization is expected to closely monitor the impact of the new 'millionaire tax' on their free agent recruiting efforts in the coming years.

The takeaway

The Seahawks' warning highlights the potential unintended consequences of new tax policies on a state's business climate and ability to attract and retain top talent, which could have broader economic implications.