Sen. Tom to Sonics: ‘Show me the money’

OLYMPIA – Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, has introduced a bill that would levy a 10 percent income tax on Seattle Supersonics team members to help pay for the construction of a new arena.

“The average NBA player makes about $4 million per year, and the average first-year public school teacher makes about $30,000 per year. If the state is going to invest money anywhere, it should be in education, not in basketball stadiums. I think the people who want to build this stadium can afford to pitch in and help,” said Tom.

Senate Bill 5891 would create a 10 percent tax on the adjusted gross income of any professional athlete in Washington whose gross annual income is greater than 10 times that of a first-year public school teacher, and who plays a professional sport in a facility financed with at least 10 percent public funds. Athletes who pay income tax in another state would be allowed to claim a tax credit for payments in their home state. The bill would also create an athletic facilities account in the state treasury, specially designated to pay for the support of public sports facilities.

“I'm still waiting for the Sonics to show me an economic analysis that proves putting dollars into the Sonics is a better use of taxpayer money than educating our children,” Tom said. “It’s time we put all our energy into our real priorities – education, transportation and health care.”

The Legislature is currently awaiting a new funding proposal from the Sonics management. SB 5891 was introduced this week and referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

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