Flight of the athletes

For millionaire athletes, states with highest tax rates may not make the cut
Is Lefty's stance on California's tax hikes a sign of things to come for millionaire athletes?

The Golden State's new 13.3 percent income tax on top earners prompted golfer Phil Mickelson to say earlier this month he was considering a move, and according to the accountants who advise millionaire athletes, he was just saying what a lot of jocks were already thinking. Federal taxes on the top income bracket just rose by roughly 5 percent, and, while there's nothing rich athletes can do about that, they are paying attention to which states dip into their game checks � and how much they take.

�They�re going to have an exodus of people,� said John Karaffa, president of ProSport CPA, a Virginia-based firm that represents nearly 300 professional athletes, primarily in basketball and football. �I think they�ll see some [leave California] for sure. They were already a very high tax state and it�s getting to a point where folks have to make a business decision as well as a lifestyle decision.�