TNT Sports analyst Paul Bissonnette recently made statements during the network’s broadcasts of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, asserting that the lack of state taxes in certain NHL cities provides an advantage to those teams in attracting better players. While the comments were dismissed by the rest of the TNT panel of analysts as ridiculous, the topic resurfaced when NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was asked about the issue during a visit to the TNT Sports pre-game show. In response, he dismissed the notion as well.
Nevertheless, Bissonnette stood by his beliefs that NHL teams in states with no state tax do benefit. He reiterated this position during his appearance on Monday’s Pardon My Take with Dan “Big Cat” Katz and Eric “PFT Commenter” Sollenberger.
“People are taking my question to him (Bettman) as if though I’m taking away from what Florida’s built. That’s not the case,” said Bissonnette.
Furthermore, Bissonnette went on to explain how, as the NHL salary cap rises, it allows more benefit to players who consider states with no state tax—specifically because of the amount of money they are saving as salaries continue to grow. In contrast, Bettman challenged Bissonnette’s remarks, calling his statement a “ridiculous issue” on TNT while also crediting a number of other factors that influence why players choose where they want to play.
“All the other factors that Gary mentioned as to why he doesn’t want to change the rule, hey, all good,” noted Bissonnette. “From a non-biased perspective, you have to understand that for him and the league’s benefit it helps that the teams in these southern states are growing.”
In addition, the former Canadian-born NHL player stated that with the growth of hockey in the southern United States, the game grows overall in North America and begins to rival interest in the upper Northeast and Canada. Bissonnette also took a jab at fans who commented on his opinion via social media in the aftermath of the Bettman interview.
“I’m trying to make good television here,” said Bissonnette. “I’m not trying to f***ing appease these brain-dead morons who don’t know what a f***ing stink tax advantage is.”
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