6 (theoretical) advantages that the Cowboys have in free agency

[Gadfly22]

Bear in mind that NFL players have to pay state income tax in every state (and some cities) in which they play, because they earned their salary there. Play the Giants in NJ, pay NJ income tax for that week's salary. So advantage #1 is somewhat watered down. And any bonus money paid to a FA not already a Texas resident would also be subject to tax by his home state.

 

[xwalker]

1. Texas has no state income tax. This means that someone being paid $5 million a year in Texas would, in theory, be able to keep more of his money than would someone being paid $5 million in a state like New York or California.
2. The Cowboys have one of the league's best stadiums. "Which stadium do I want to play in?" probably ranks pretty low in a free agent's decision-making process, but it might still be a factor. Playing at AT&T Stadium would be probably be more appealing than playing at the Jaguars' stadium, the Bills' stadium, or some other venues in the league.
3. Texas is one of the most football-crazed states in America. The level of enthusiasm about football is simply higher in Texas than it is in a lot of other regions in the United States. What football player wouldn't want to play in a region that cares a lot about football?
   
4. Much of Texas has a relatively lower cost of living than some other regions in the United States. Again, this means that someone might be able to save and keep more of his money by being a sports athlete in Texas than he would in, say, New York City or San Francisco.
5. Possibly more merchandise sales. A athlete playing for the Cowboys might have more sales of his jersey than if he played for the Jaguars, Buccaneers or Bills.
6. Higher profile. The Cowboys play in more nationally-televised games than many other NFL teams. The Cowboys are one of the NFL's most high-profile and immediately recognizable brands. All of this might appeal to a free agent player who likes attention and publicity. Finally, even in spite of the Cowboys

The Texas Rangers recently signed a free agent that had a higher offer with another team. I don't remember the exact numbers, but Texas paid about 130M and the other team was offering about 140M; however, they said the agent considered the True Value of the Rangers offer to be higher, primarily due to the income tax issue.

 

[foofighters]

Meh...If I am a free agent, I am going to want $$$ and place that is going to compete for SB's. Not sure if the circus in Dallas is where I'd want to be.

 

[DBOY3141]

Meh...If I am a free agent, I am going to want $$$ and place that is going to compete for SB's. Not sure if the circus in Dallas is where I'd want to be.

This is the biggest factor. If a player is looking for money, Dallas is in consideration. If the player wants to compete for SB's, Dallas has no chance. It's sad and every year we go through this, but reality is, Dallas is not a winning organization anymore.

But I think today's players are all about money and could care less if they win a SB.

 

[dogberry]

Do players have to pay tax on a week's pay when playing in NJ? Or 2/250 of their Cowboys' pay? Or nothing?

 

[Nova]

The Texas Rangers recently signed a free agent that had a higher offer with another team. I don't remember the exact numbers, but Texas paid about 130M and the other team was offering about 140M; however, they said the agent considered the True Value of the Rangers offer to be higher, primarily due to the income tax issue.

Shin-Soo Choo is who I think you're talking about.

And that's an interesting point because I believe the 140MM offer came from the Yankees. The Rangers are a very well run team, but I don't think that outweighs the Yankees' clout.

So, yeah... the income tax must have been a big enough deciding factor. Not to mention... cost of living is super low. Honestly, if you can't stomach the heat, it's probably one of the best places to live right now for the every man.

 

[Gadfly22]

Do players have to pay tax on a week's pay when playing in NJ? Or 2/250 of their Cowboys' pay? Or nothing?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbad...-decisions-by-nfl-players-can-save-a-fortune/

Above is a link to a short article in Forbes about player salaries. Short answer about salaries (I think) is that NFL players get paid 1/17th of their salary every week of the season. Play in NJ one week, and you get taxed on 1/17th of your salary there. But the article also discusses treatment of bonuses, including Romo's situation.

 

[dogberry]

At least 12.5 percent more income tax in NY and NYC for a high income type.

 

[xwalker]

Shin-Soo Choo is who I think you're talking about.

And that's an interesting point because I believe the 140MM offer came from the Yankees. The Rangers are a very well run team, but I don't think that outweighs the Yankees' clout.

So, yeah... the income tax must have been a big enough deciding factor. Not to mention... cost of living is super low. Honestly, if you can't stomach the heat, it's probably one of the best places to live right now for the every man.

Yes, Shin-Soo Choo.

I've always been surprised how many retired athletes and other wealthy people lives here.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Most players in their prime (22-30) grew up during the Dallas dynasty era and tend to be big Cowboy's fans.

 

[dogberry]

Gadfly thanks. The 1/17 th seems high since the player is in NJ only 2 days that week. Plus all the other weeks during the year that players are preparing for the season. Disagreeing with logic of the information not you.

 

[Eddie]

1. Texas has no state income tax. This means that someone being paid $5 million a year in Texas would, in theory, be able to keep more of his money than would someone being paid $5 million in a state like New York or California.

This is misleading. Players pay income tax in the state they're playing in when they're playing games. So basically, they only save State Income tax when they're playing in Dallas or any state which doesn't have a State Income tax. So they only save when they play in Dallas. Games in NY, Washington, and Philly ... are fully taxed.

 

[Gadfly22]

Gadfly thanks. The 1/17 th seems high since the player is in NJ only 2 days that week. Plus all the other weeks during the year that players are preparing for the season. Disagreeing with logic of the information not you.

Understood. It seems odd, but it's the same tax logic that subjects a NJ resident who works in NY to NY income tax. Seems more logical when you think about it as a permanent employment that lasts a year -- but it would be the same issue if you worked in NY and quit after a week. NY would still tax that week's pay because it was earned there.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Yes, those advantages half worked so well in the past.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

8. You only need to have one good season to get an absurd contract offer.
9. You don't have to worry about post game interviews since Jerry Jones will be hogging up all the microphones.
10. You don't have to pay attention during defensive team meetings since the defensive coordinator will be asleep.
11. You don't have to worry about not getting playing minutes since all the starters will be on IR by Week 8.
12. You'll have a chance to play on an undefeated team (8 real wins and 8 moral wins).

LOL

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

7. Mild winters compared to places like Buffalo and Green Bay.

8. Dairy Queens (While players wait and wait and wait and wait in line they half plenty of time to sign autographs from the comfort is his Escalade party vehicle.

 

[trickblue]

1. Texas has no state income tax. This means that someone being paid $5 million a year in Texas would, in theory, be able to keep more of his money than would someone being paid $5 million in a state like New York or California.

This is true, but it can be countered by our "through the roof" property taxes if they choose to buy a home...

 

[viman96]

There was a good breakdown on Kobe's recent extension and the true value after taxes.

Also Florida teams have the same advantage as Texas.

 

[vicjagger]

21) Mexico is just across the river.

 

[SDCowboy]

1. Texas has no state income tax. This means that someone being paid $5 million a year in Texas would, in theory, be able to keep more of his money than would someone being paid $5 million in a state like New York or California.

This always seemed irrelevant to me. These guys are rich enough that they can have a house in a no income tax state, and thus claim residence there, and play wherever they want.