Staff Reports
Jalen Brunson capped a breathtaking Finals performance with a line that made sports fans laugh and policy wonks nod. After pouring in 45 points to clinch the NBA championship and earn Finals MVP honors, Brunson told reporters, “I have nothing against Texas. I love Texas. I miss the Texas taxes.” It was a joking aside. It was also more than a joke.
Brunson’s Quip: “I Miss the Texas Taxes”
The moment was light, but the message landed. Brunson is a high‑paid pro on a big New York contract. When he says he misses Texas taxes, he is riffing on a real difference: Texas has no state income tax and New York hits top earners with both state and city levies. For an athlete making millions, those points add up fast.
Why This Small Line Became Big News
Sports fans will remember the 45 points and the trophy. But reporters and social media picked up on the tax joke because it speaks to a larger truth. Athletes—and anyone with big paychecks—think about where they live. “Jock taxes” and residency rules mean players face a patchwork of fees for every game and every paycheck. A quip after a title can turn into a real conversation about why people leave high‑tax states.
Policy Reality: Taxes Drive Behavior
If you want talent to stick around, you can’t insult their wallets and expect loyalty. Cities and states that chase revenue with steep rates often push high earners to look elsewhere. New York has many strengths, but its tax system is part of the reason some top performers pick sunnier, leaner tax states. Call it fiscal common sense or just plain math.
At the end of the night, Brunson’s comment was playful. But it also gave a blunt reminder: money talks. If New York wants to keep championship teams and the stars who build them, leaders should stop treating paychecks like easy prey. Otherwise, watch more title parades—and more casual nods to “missing the Texas taxes.”
