Sports
Seahawks GM warns Washington’s new ‘millionaire tax’ could hurt free agent recruiting
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider highlighted a recent decision by Washington state lawmakers that he believes could pose problems as the reigning Super Bowl champions look to add players to sustain long-term success.
Washington’s long-standing status as a largely tax-free state is set to change in 2028 after lawmakers approved a “millionaire tax” that would levy a 9.9% rate on high earners.
The tax will apply to individuals earning more than $1 million annually. Gov. Bob Ferguson has indicated he will sign the bill. It is unclear whether the legislation will face legal challenges. Schneider projected the new tax deduction could hinder the Seahawks’ ability to recruit and ultimately sign free agents.
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium Feb. 24, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
Schneider suggested that part of the team’s pitch to free agents over the years has highlighted Washington’s tax exemptions.
“There were a bunch of agents texting me the other day like, ‘Hey, can’t use that anymore, buddy,’” Schneider said this week on his Seattle Sports 710-AM radio show.
SEAHAWKS GM JOHN SCHNEIDER GOES VIRAL AFTER AWKWARD KENNETH WALKER III CONTRACT TALK AT SUPER BOWL LX PARADE
“I think it is for all the pro teams here in town. It’s always been a huge attraction, especially competing with the California teams. It’s been a big deal for us. So, it’s going to sting, from a recruiting standpoint and what that looks like. I’m sure Mike Reinfeldt and Mickey Loomis and all the cap guys that have been here before, too, are looking at this like, ‘Dang.’”
The Super Bowl LX trophy celebration at Lumen Field Feb. 11, 2026, in Seattle. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
As of 2026, the Seahawks are one of eight NFL clubs based in a state that does not impose income tax on personal wages.
Two of those teams, the Texans and Cowboys, are based in Texas, while three of those teams play home games in Florida: the Jaguars, Buccaneers and Dolphins. The Raiders relocated from California to the neighboring tax-free Nevada in 2020, while the Titans are set to open a multibillion-dollar domed stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2027.
Seattle Seahawks helmets before a game between the Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
“It’s going to be a problem, and hopefully it doesn’t happen,” an unnamed NFL agent told ESPN when asked about thoughts on the potential impact the new taxes could have on the Seahawks.
While it remains unclear whether the new taxes will influence NFL players’ decisions about signing with the Seahawks, an MLB player recently cited California’s higher tax rates in his decision to turn down a deal with the San Diego Padres.
Merrill Kelly, who entered the free agent market after pitching in 10 games with the Texas Rangers in 2025, last month agreed to a deal to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Kelly agreed to a two-year contract worth an estimated $40 million with the Diamondbacks, according to ESPN. Although the Padres offered a comparable deal at three years instead of two, California’s 13% tax rate on income above $1 million proved a key difference.
“I don’t think it’s any secret on how much money you get taken out of your pocket when you go to California,” the right-hander told “Foul Territory.”
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
It’s time for Mira Costa to try to wipe away the disappointing memory from last season’s Southern Section Division 1 girls’ beach volleyball final, where the Mustangs lost to Redondo Union 3-2.
Mira Costa faces JSerra at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Long Beach City College in this season’s championship game.
Key returnees for Mira Costa are Lily Vandeweghe, Lily Enfield, Harper Terry and Izzy Elston.
JSerra has succeeded in breaking up the Mira Costa-Redondo Union beach volleyball domination. Those teams had met in the final for the previous three years.
The Mustangs swept San Marcos 5-0 in the semifinals on Thursday. JSerra eliminated No. 2-seeded Redondo Union 3-2.
Venice won the City Section title over Taft on Friday.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands or even stand beside Israel Football Association Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman during a tense exchange at the FIFA Congress Thursday.
Both officials were invited to the stage by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but the Palestinian representative resisted efforts to bring him closer to his Israeli counterpart.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with Basim Sheikh Suliman (left), vice president of the Israeli Football Association, as Jibril Rajoub (right), president of the Palestine Football Association, leaves the stage at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, April 30, 2026. (Reuters/Jennifer Gauthier)
Infantino briefly placed a hand on Rajoub’s arm and gestured for him to step forward, but Rajoub did not comply.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 2026 Semafor World Economy conference in Washington, D.C., on April 15, 2026. (Kent Nishimura/AFP)
The Palestinian FA, led by Rajoub, has long pushed for Israel to be suspended from international soccer competition.
Rajoub defended his decision, saying he remains committed to formal processes but believes stronger action is needed.
“I still respect and follow the legal procedure, but I think it’s time to understand that Israel should be sanctioned. The double-standard policy should stop,” Rajoub said, according to The Times of Israel.
“I refused to shake hands. Sport is sport. … For me, that should be respected, but if the other side is representing a criminal like Bibi [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] and speaking on behalf of Bibi as if Bibi is Mother Teresa, how can I shake hands or have a photo with such a man?
HS BASKETBALL COACH SUSPENDED AFTER HANGING UP PALESTINIAN FLAG, REFUSING TO SHAKE HANDS WITH JEWISH COACHES
A fan displays a Palestinian flag during a Nations League group stage match between France and Israel Nov. 14, 2024. (Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)
“I think Gianni has the right to try to bridge gaps and bring people together, but I think maybe he does not understand or does not know the deep suffering of the Palestinian people.”
After the exchange, Infantino addressed the room, urging cooperation.
“We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman. Let’s work together to give hope to the children. These are complex matters,” Infantino said.
Speaking just before the incident, Suliman emphasized the unifying role of the sport.
“In football, there is no place for politics,” Suliman said. “Everyone has the right to play and compete. We are teaching children values like respect, equality and love for others, and we hope that by the next time we meet, the situation will be better. We extend a hand to the Palestinian FA in the spirit of those shared values.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Players from Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur line up before the UEFA Super Cup soccer match in Udine, Italy, on Aug. 13, 2025. (Denes Erdos/AP)
UEFA was reportedly moving toward a vote to suspend Israel over the war in Gaza in September, but the motion was put on pause.
Infantino announced no action would be taken against the team on Oct. 3 after a historic peace proposal by President Donald Trump and Netanyahu.
However, even after the peace proposal, Israeli sports teams have faced opposition and exclusion.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Posted along the left-field fence at Birmingham High are the years it won City Section baseball titles: 1964, 1966, 1969, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023.
Nowhere is there any recognition for winning a West Valley League title. That’s because the current coach, Matt Mowry, has won five City titles and zero league titles during his 20 seasons. He might need to make room for a first West Valley title after the Patriots completed a two-game sweep this week of El Camino Real, winning on Friday 9-1.
Nathan Soto struck out five and walked none in six innings. Carlos Acuna, Toni Mendoza and Jordan Lindsay each had two hits.
The Patriots (22-4, 11-2) have a one-game lead over El Camino Real (18-8, 10-3) going into a two-game series with Cleveland next week. Athletic director Rick Prizant has always joked with Mowry that he wants City titles, not necessarily league titles, but the players were determined this season to end Mowry’s drought.
“Our guys came in with a good approach and stuck to it and performed in all aspects,” Mowry said.
The hitters continued their mastery of El Camino Real pitching, hitting one ball after another to right field. During a seven-run third inning, Aidan Martinez had the big hit, a two-run double down the right-field line. Acuna followed with an RBI single, Mendoza had a two-run single and JuJu Monroe-Truitt had an RBI single.
Chatsworth 1, Cleveland 0: Isaiah Sanchez threw a five-hit shutout for the Chancellors.
Granada Hills 5, Taft 1: Foss Bohlen struck out seven in six innings for the Highlanders, who close the regular season with a two-game series against El Camino Real next week.
Monroe 7, Chavez 1: The Vikings clinched the East Valley League title, their first league title since 1995. Felipe Gonzalez threw six scoreless innings.
Bell 11, Legacy 1: Jayden Rojas struck out six with no walks in five innings while giving up one hit. Armando Aguilar had two hits and two RBIs.
Garfield 11, South East 1: CJ Aguayo had a three-run triple and Victor Alvarez added three RBIs for Garfield.
Norco 7, Corona 2: Dylan Seward and Jacob Melendez hit home runs to help Norco clinch the Big VIII League championship. Melendez threw a complete game with five strikeouts and no walks.
Corona Santiago 7, Corona Centennial 6: Striker Pence homered for the Sharks. Jesse Mendoza had three hits for Centennial.
Villa Park 2, Cypress 0: Logan Hoppie threw the complete game with six strikeouts for Villa Park.
Oaks Christian 8, Calabasas 7: KJ Henrich broke a 7-7 tie with an RBI double in the seventh. Carson Sheffer hit his fourth home run and finished with three RBIs. Jack Brinkman had three hits. Auron Blackledge and Evan Barak homered for Calabasas.
Westlake 15, Newbury Park 6: Holden Backus had two hits and four RBIs for Westlake. Carson Richter hit a grand slam for Newbury Park.
Thousand Oaks 5, Agoura 4: The Lancers rallied from a 4-0 deficit. Jake Ange had a home run.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 2, Bishop Alemany 0: Holden Newhouse and JuJu Diaz-Jones combined for the shutout to help the Knights clinch a playoff spot from the Mission League.
Chaminade 9, Harvard-Westlake 5: Anthony Costa and Robby Morgan each had two hits and two RBIs and Isaiah Hearn hit a three-run home run to lead the Eagles. Louis Lappe went four for four to lead Harvard-Westlake.
Sierra Canyon 10, Loyola 0: Theo Swafford had a double and three-run home run for Sierra Canyon.
St. Francis 10, Crespi 6: Danny Izaguirre had two hits and four RBIs for St. Francis.
Temecula Valley 3, Vista Murrieta 2: Taden Krogsgaard had two hits for Temecula Valley.
JSerra 9, Santa Margarita 6: The Lions completed a three-game sweep of Santa Margarita. Blake Bowen hit a home run in all three games. Shane D’Arcy had three hits for JSerra.
St. John Bosco 6, Mater Dei 3: Jhett Ohira had two hits and two RBIs for the Braves. Sebastian Navarro homered for Mater Dei.
Orange Lutheran 3, Servite 1: Sam Principe threw a complete game, giving up three hits for Orange Lutheran.
Huntington Beach 8, Newport Harbor 1: Parker Leoff contributed two doubles for Huntington Beach.
West Ranch 10, Hart 2: Ty Diaz went three for three and Caydin Wilson had three RBIs as West Ranch earned a share of the Foothill League title.
Valencia 14, Golden Valley 1: Zach Davis had three hits and three RBIs for Valencia.
Redondo Union 10, Mira Costa 4: Keiji Hattori led the way with three hits for Redondo Union.
Softball
Granada Hills 16, Taft 2: Dahlia Perez had a grand slam during a 15-run second inning.
JSerra 3, Orange Lutheran 1: Liliana Escobar recorded 13 strikeouts and gave up three hits in the Trinity League win.
Norco 11, Corona Santiago 0: Peyton May struck out 13 and Sadie Burroughs hit a three-run home run for Norco.
-
Entertainment2 minutes agoSteven Tyler is headed to trial after child sexual assault claims
-
Lifestyle8 minutes agoThe exclusive fashion drops, art openings and collaborations injecting your May with motion
-
Politics14 minutes agoA defiant Iran leaves Trump with few options
-
Science20 minutes agoBald eagle ‘massaging’ its mate? AI deepfakes collide with the laws of the wild
-
Sports26 minutes ago
Prep talk: Mira Costa to face JSerra in Southern Section girls’ beach volleyball final
-
World38 minutes agoTorture claims and a ship that leaves flotilla detainees in Israel
-
News1 hour agoCan Trump’s latest pick for surgeon general make it through confirmation?
-
New York3 hours agoCan a Second-Home Tax Work in New York? The Numbers Don’t Add Up Yet.