Bill Belichick Angers Some With ‘Taxachussets’ Statement

New York Post ^ | Aug. 27, 2024 | Jenna Lemoncelli

[nickcarraway]

Bill Belichick didn’t sugarcoat anything when he discussed the Massachusetts’ state income tax and the challenge it imposes on the Patriots signing free agents.

The 72-year-old Belichick — who parted ways with the Patriots after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles in January — recalled negotiations being difficult in Foxboro due to state’s four percent surtax on taxable income more than $1 million, which was implemented in 2022.

“That’s Taxachusetts,” Belichick said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, which drew laughs from Pat McAfee and his co-host AJ Hawk. “Virtually every player, even the practice squad … even the minimum players are pretty close to $1 million. So once you hit the $1 million threshold, you pay more state tax in Massachusetts.

[RaginRak]

Liberal/Democraps can’t handle the truth

[JonPreston]

Doesn’t Belichick realize that making fun at high taxes is anti-government? What’s next, election denial?

[z3n]

[The Louiswu]

Why should people get mad at the truth, why not get mad at lies? I believe Bellacheat is telling a truth here, get mad at the Legislators of the state for whatever it is they do...

[Disambiguator]

That’s been a nickname for that state for decades.

The residents are known as “Massholes.”

[Opinionated Blowhard]

This article is clickbait. The “some” who are angry are anonymous Twitter commenters.

[Col Frank Slade]

I first heard the Taxachusetts thing when Dukakis ran for Pres in ‘88.

[PTBAA]

Massachusetts: “Shut up, give us your stuff and nobody gets hurt”! (except for you)

[griffin]

Truth hurts

[glennaro]

He merely said what EVERYONE knows ... and what EVERYONE says.

He can handle it.

[raccoonradio]

While Boston has won some sports championships, lately things have been
bad for the Dead Sox and Patsies...
trouble luring some athletes and coaches
due to high taxes?

[raccoonradio]

And Dead Sox owner John Henry also
owns the Boston Globe which I jokingly
call The Fenway Gazette

[Gay State Conservative]

The Gay State (Massachusetts) surely isn't the least heavily taxed state in the country but it's far from the *most* heavily taxed. Income tax,sales tax and property taxes,combined,are much lower than you'd find in New York,Kalifornia and other places. But it is expensive to live here despite the taxes not being particularly high. Houses,in particular,are much more expensive in Greater Boston than in most parts of the country.

I'm not trying to defend my home state.It truly is a despicable cesspool despite the fact that taxes aren't particularly high.

[Kenny Bania]

If taxes are the issue, why do so many high-profile free agents (in all sports) sign with California teams?

[PGR88]

Canadians will never admit it, but its why Florida teams have been in the Stanley Cup straight for the last 5 years

A player making $2 million in Toronto will pay >60% of that in taxes alone, and then face a crazy property market as well.

Players would rather play in Florida.

[nickcarraway]

And Florida has won the last 10 World Series and Super Bowls.

[utax]

Mass of two whats???

[1Old Pro]

Yep, if we only had an honest media we’d hear this stuff daily.

[Kenny Bania]

I think Bellichik is using taxes as an excuse for players either not wanting to play in Massachusetts or for him.

Also, whenever athletes play on the road, they have to pay taxes in the city/state where they play that day/night, so they're used to taxes.

Case in point, the infamous Andrew McCutcheon paystub from a few years ago: https://twitter.com/SBNation/status/601906642423275520