NHL · Washington
Seattle Kraken take-home pay: what a $10,000,000 contract really pays
A Seattle Kraken player on $10,000,000 takes home about $5,415,000 — that is 54.1% 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 | −$320,000 | −$43,500 | −$50,000 | $586,500 | 58.6% |
| $5,000,000 | −$1,800,000 | −$217,500 | −$250,000 | $2,732,500 | 54.6% |
| $12,000,000 | −$4,390,000 | −$522,000 | −$600,000 | $6,488,000 | 54.1% |
Where a $10,000,000 deal goes
| Deduction | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | −$3,650,000 |
| Medicare / FICA | −$235,000 |
| Agent commission (5%) | −$500,000 |
| Jock tax (duty-day estimate) | −$200,000 |
| Total deductions | −$4,585,000 |
| Take-home pay | $5,415,000 |
Why Seattle Kraken keeps 54.1%
Washington levies no tax on wage income. The 9% figure often quoted is a capital gains excise tax on investment income above roughly $270,000, and the 9.9% millionaire tax does not start until 2028.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Kraken | Washington | 0% | $5,415,000 |
| 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 Seattle Kraken player take home on a $10,000,000 contract?
About $5,415,000, or 54.1% of the headline figure. Income tax takes $3,650,000, agent commission takes $500,000 and FICA, self-employment tax and jock tax take the remaining $435,000.
Does Washington tax Seattle Kraken players?
No. Washington levies no income tax on wages, so a Seattle Kraken player's state or provincial deduction is zero. Only federal tax and the league deductions apply.