November 22, 2019 Baseball / Hockey / Labor & Employment / Litigation / MLB / NFL / NHL / Tax

Players’ Unions v. Jock Taxes: An Inside Look at This Waging Legal Battle

Last week, we reported that the NHL Players’ Association, MLB Players’ Association, and NFL Players’ Association sued the city of Pittsburgh for charging a fee on nonresident professional athletes that play within the city. These fees, often referred to as jock taxes, have come under fire over the past few years.

The players’ associations are not challenging the legality of jock taxes in general, about which you can continue reading here. It is well established that states and municipalities have the right to tax …

November 15, 2019 Baseball / Hockey / Labor & Employment / Litigation / MLB / NFL / NHL / Tax

NFL, MLB, and NHL Players’ Associations Sue Pittsburgh Over “Unconstitutional” Athletes Fee

The city of Pittsburgh is being challenged for a fee it is charging nonresident professional athletes who play for Pittsburgh teams.

The NHL Players’ Association, MLB Players’ Association, and NFL Players’ Association, along with baseball player Jeff Francoeur and hockey players Kyle Palmieri and Scott Wilson, have sued the city of Pittsburgh. The city currently imposes a three percent general revenue income fee on professional athletes who reside out of state. Athletes who live in the city, however, pay only a one percent fee. Pittsburgh …

November 18, 2015 NFL

US Supreme Court Denies “Jock Tax” Review, Cleveland to Refund Millions

Last week, the United States Supreme Court declined to review the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Cleveland’s “jock tax.” The Ohio Supreme Court previously agreed to suspend its decision while the city appealed, but now that the U.S. Supreme Court has denied certiorari, the city must begin to refund players millions.

Cleveland is one of eight cities that have implemented a so-called “jock tax,” which is an income tax levied on NFL players visiting the city for a road game. The decision to …

September 19, 2015 NFL

Cleveland ‘Jock Tax’ Ruling to be Suspended During Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

The Ohio Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to suspend its decision to strike down Cleveland’s “jock tax” while the city appeals to the United States Supreme Court.

Cleveland is one of eight cities that have implemented a so-called “jock tax,” which is an income tax levied on NFL players visiting the city for a road game. The decision to strike down the tax comes as a result of two lawsuits brought by former Indianapolis Colt Jeff Saturday and former Chicago Bear Hunter Hillenmeyer.…