In a candid discussion, former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick did not shy away from addressing a significant challenge he faced during his tenure-Massachusetts’ state income tax, particularly its impact on attracting top-tier talent to the team.
Belichick, who parted ways with the Patriots in January after an illustrious 24-year career that included six Super Bowl victories, opened up about the difficulties of negotiating contracts in Foxboro due to the state’s tax policies. The topic surfaced during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” where Belichick described the complications stemming from Massachusetts‘ four percent surtax on income over $1 million, implemented in 2022.
Belichick humorously dubbed the state “Taxachusetts,” a comment that elicited laughs from host Pat McAfee and co-host AJ Hawk. But behind the humor lay a serious concern for the veteran coach. “Virtually every player, even those on the practice squad, gets close to the $1 million mark,” Belichick noted, highlighting how the surtax added an extra layer of difficulty in negotiations with players and their agents.
The 72-year-old coach compared Massachusetts unfavorably to states like Tennessee, Florida, and Nevada, where there is no state income tax, stating, “You get hit pretty hard on that with the agents. They’ll come and sledgehammer you down about the tax they’re paying. We don’t get any benefit from that.”
Belichick is receiving strong backlash for his comment
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Not everyone appreciated Belichick’s remarks, and social media reactions ranged from critical to outright dismissive. The surtax in question was approved by Massachusetts voters in 2022 and applies to personal income over $1 million, with the threshold for the 2024 tax year set at $1,053,750. The tax has added a layer of complexity for any high-earning professionals in the state, including athletes and coaches.
While Belichick no longer faces the challenges of recruiting players to Foxborough, given his departure from the Patriots after a disappointing 4-13 season, he remains connected to Massachusetts. Belichick, who has expressed a desire to continue coaching, still resides in the state and has made recent property investments, including a $4.8 million home in Nantucket.
Additionally, Belichick has been in the public eye for reasons beyond football, with reports of his relationship with 23-year-old Jordon Hudson, a former college cheerleader, drawing attention. The pair was spotted together at Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony in June, further fueling media interest in the legendary coach’s personal life.
As Belichick explores new opportunities for the 2024 season, his reflections on the unique challenges of managing a team in Massachusetts offer a glimpse into the often-overlooked factors that can influence team-building in professional sports.
