A new tax law in Tennessee is not finding favor with one Detroit Red Wings player. Brian Rafalski, a defensman for the Red Wings, says that Tennessee is unfairly taxing professional athletes that play in the state. Rafalski has estimated that 17 of his teammates will be paying more in taxes to face off against the Nashville Predators than they will earn for actually playing the game.
The Tennessee law is what is commonly referred to as a “jock tax” and is charged to make money off of highly paid athletes that play for the visiting team. Approximately 18 states now charge this type of tax. Specifically the law attempts to tax NBA or NHL players that play for the visiting team for more than 10 days in a tax period and within Tennessee’s boundaries.