Tennessee House Of Reps Could Repeal "Jock Tax," Exempt Predators, Grizzlies Players

A compromise between the Grizzlies and Predators, along with their respective leagues and players' unions, might allow the Tennessee state House to "pass a bill to repeal a tax on professional athletes’ earnings, one they’ve fought for more than a year," according to Max Smith of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. A bill sponsored by Tennessee state Rep. David Alexander yesterday "passed the House State Government Subcommittee." An amendment Alexander introduced would "exempt NHL players immediately upon the bill being signed into law, but would continue to tax NBA players for the next two seasons," giving the Grizzlies "time to work out a plan to replace the revenue they receive from the tax." The state's jock tax is "unique in that the tax revenue goes back to the owners of the teams." NFL players are "exempt from the tax." Tennessee is "the only state to implement its jock tax in a flat rate, which is the highest in the country" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 3/20).