Why are sports stars leaving Massachusetts? Bill Belichick blames new “Millionaire’s Tax” 

Boston sports fans have long enjoyed their fair share of sports championships, ranking second all-time in total championships across major sports leagues, but the sunny days may be over as state Democrats bring a storm of trouble through their ultra-high taxes. In 2022, Massachusetts voters narrowly approved a new top income tax rate of 9%, colloquially known as the “Millionaire’s Tax” as it applies to all income over $1 million. 

But taxpayers are starting to take note of the much higher tax burden. According to a survey of accountants, more than 20% of Massachusetts residents are considering leaving the state at any given moment. And professional athletes may be even more likely to make the jump. 

Legendary Patriots coach Bill Belichick recently spoke about his frustration with the tax regarding the added difficulty in signing players. While on The Pat McAfee Show, Belichick referred to the state as “Taxachusetts” – a common refrain among Massachusetts Republicans, who are in the minority, and those who moved across the border to New Hampshire, which does not levy a state sales tax and will become the 8^th no-income-tax-state in January.  

“It’s just another thing you’ve got to contend with in negotiations up there. It’s not like Tennessee or Florida or Nevada, or some of these teams have no state income tax,” said Belichick, adding that the high tax burden does not only affect star players, but also the ability to build roster depth. “Virtually every player, even the practice squad, well the minimum players are pretty close to $1 million so once you hit that $1 million threshold then you pay more state tax in Massachusetts. It’s just another thing you have to contend with in negotiations up there.”  

Belichick is not the only Massachusetts sports icon to express dissatisfaction with the recent income tax increase. Two defensive linemen for the Patriots, Davon Godchaux and Keion White, discussed the issue recently on Godchaux’s podcast ChauxTalk. Godchaux pointed out that “if you can sign with a team with no state tax, then go ahead and sign with them because that’s more money you keep in your pocket.” 

The tax hike has not affected only football, but other sports as well. Former Boston Celtic Grant Williams left the team for the Dallas Mavericks in 2023, telling reporters that the new 9% income tax rate was behind the move.  

Though this excessive tax has only recently taken effect, it has already disrupted Massachusetts’ appeal to athletes. Unless legislators in Boston get serious about lowering taxes, it will be no surprise when athletes and other successful individuals continue to flee Massachusetts, leaving the state’s sports teams to pay the price.