NHL · New York
Buffalo Sabres take-home pay: what a $10,000,000 contract really pays
A Buffalo Sabres player on $10,000,000 takes home about $4,325,000 — that is 43.2% of the headline number, after tax, agent commission and league deductions.
Take-home pay at three contract sizes
| Contract | Income tax | FICA / SE | Agent + escrow | Net | Kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | −$429,000 | −$43,500 | −$50,000 | $477,500 | 47.7% |
| $5,000,000 | −$2,345,000 | −$217,500 | −$250,000 | $2,187,500 | 43.7% |
| $12,000,000 | −$5,698,000 | −$522,000 | −$600,000 | $5,180,000 | 43.2% |
Where a $10,000,000 deal goes
| Deduction | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | −$3,650,000 |
| State income tax | −$1,090,000 |
| Medicare / FICA | −$235,000 |
| Agent commission (5%) | −$500,000 |
| Jock tax (duty-day estimate) | −$200,000 |
| Total deductions | −$5,675,000 |
| Take-home pay | $4,325,000 |
Why Buffalo Sabres keeps 43.2%
New York combines a 10.9% top rate with New York City tax for players based in the city. Non-resident athletes also owe New York on games played at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center.
The 2026-27 payroll range runs from $76.9M to $104.0M with a $90.4M midpoint. Agent commission is capped at 5% by the NHLPA. Escrow is negotiated season by season and is not modelled here.
Same money, different tax market
| Team | Market | Top rate | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Sabres | New York | 10.9% | $4,325,000 |
| Dallas Stars | Texas | 0% | $5,415,000 |
| San Jose Sharks | California | 13.3% | $4,085,000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | Alberta | 48% | $4,700,000 |
Questions
How much does a Buffalo Sabres player take home on a $10,000,000 contract?
About $4,325,000, or 43.2% of the headline figure. Income tax takes $4,740,000, agent commission takes $500,000 and FICA, self-employment tax and jock tax take the remaining $435,000.
Does New York tax Buffalo Sabres players?
Yes. New York applies a top marginal rate of 10.9%. 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.