NBA · Louisiana
New Orleans Pelicans take-home pay: what a $10,000,000 contract really pays
A New Orleans Pelicans player on $10,000,000 takes home about $4,215,000 — that is 42.1% of the headline number, after tax, agent commission, escrow and league deductions.
Take-home pay at three contract sizes
| Contract | Income tax | FICA / SE | Agent + escrow | Net | Kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | −$350,000 | −$43,500 | −$140,000 | $466,500 | 46.6% |
| $10,000,000 | −$3,950,000 | −$435,000 | −$1,400,000 | $4,215,000 | 42.1% |
| $25,000,000 | −$9,950,000 | −$1,087,500 | −$3,500,000 | $10,462,500 | 41.8% |
Where a $10,000,000 deal goes
| Deduction | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | −$3,650,000 |
| State income tax | −$300,000 |
| Medicare / FICA | −$235,000 |
| Agent commission (4%) | −$400,000 |
| Jock tax (duty-day estimate) | −$200,000 |
| League escrow (10%) | −$1,000,000 |
| Total deductions | −$5,785,000 |
| Take-home pay | $4,215,000 |
Why New Orleans Pelicans keeps 42.1%
Louisiana moved to a 3% flat rate, a sharp cut from its old graduated system.
The NBA withholds 10% of every salary in escrow under Article IV of the CBA. Agent commission is capped at 4% by the NBPA. The 2026-27 salary cap is $164.961M.
Same money, different tax market
| Team | Market | Top rate | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Pelicans | Louisiana | 3% | $4,215,000 |
| Dallas Mavericks | Texas | 0% | $4,515,000 |
| Sacramento Kings | California | 13.3% | $3,185,000 |
| Utah Jazz | Utah | 4.5% | $4,065,000 |
Questions
How much does a New Orleans Pelicans player take home on a $10,000,000 contract?
About $4,215,000, or 42.1% of the headline figure. Income tax takes $3,950,000, agent commission takes $400,000, escrow takes $1,000,000 and FICA, self-employment tax and jock tax take the remaining $435,000.
Does Louisiana tax New Orleans Pelicans players?
Yes. Louisiana applies a top marginal rate of 3%. This calculator applies that top rate to the whole salary, which is deliberately conservative — the real state bill is progressive, so take-home is usually slightly higher.