Phil Mickelson may call it quits due to climbing tax rates
Q. Moving to Canada?
PHIL MICKELSON: I’m not sure what exactly, you know, I’m going to do yet. I’ll probably talk about it more in depth next week. I’m not going to jump the gun, but there are going to be some. There are going to be some drastic changes for me because I happen to be in that zone that has been targeted both federally and by the state and, you know, it doesn’t work for me right now. So I’m going to have to make some changes.
To be honest, it’s hard to blame Mickelson – who has compiled a net worth approaching $180 million by repeatedly striking a tiny white ball until it falls into a hole — for putting all options on the table, which according to some, include the possibility of prematurely shutting down his career to avoid his rising tax burden. Let’s take a look at what Mickelson is up against in 2013:
Blowback
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I don’t blame him. If you already have more than enough money any person would need to live why keep working if you are giving half or more of what you earn to somebody else.
Mark1971 on January 21, 2013 at 12:38 PM
Ronald Reagan once said that he would make fewer movies because of the 90% tax rate, once he got to that threshold, what was the point?
wildcat72 on January 21, 2013 at 12:38 PM
well, y’know… at some point, he’s made enough money. So…
Jeddite on January 21, 2013 at 12:39 PM
I’m sure he’s not the only one. I wonder how some of these pro athletes, especially the ones in California, feel about taxes now. California alone hits them up for 13.3%. Add in property taxes and the sundry of other taxes and fees … plus federal of 39.6%, and you feel less inclined to give most of your earnings to Big Comrade.
darwin on January 21, 2013 at 12:47 PM
Get out of California. Lots of states have no income tax.
Ted Torgerson on January 21, 2013 at 12:51 PM
What an evil SOB.
/Democrats
Good Lt on January 21, 2013 at 12:52 PM
Considering the fact that he is not risking anything in making the money, his argument loses much of the impact. He plays a GAME that he supposedly ENJOYS and makes MILLIONS of DOLLARS off of it.
I am not disparaging his choice, just the fact that it is not the kind of argument that will win over people undecided or on the other side of the fence about taxing the rich.
He is, far and away, the poster child for why people want to tax the hell out of the rich. Not that those people are right, but that his case will earn very little sympathy.
Now a businessman, who risks losing his money, that is the poster child for why taxes should be level. In fact, businesses should not face any taxes.
astonerii on January 21, 2013 at 12:54 PM
We pay Obama to play golf too.
portlandon on January 21, 2013 at 1:02 PM
Time for the federal government to make golf a non-profit like the NFL, or a legal monopoly like MLB, that way they can pay the sportsmen more and make up for the taxes. And the cities can do their part too; time to pony up and sponsor some privately owned golf courses and tournaments.
Bread and Circuses.
Fenris on January 21, 2013 at 1:03 PM
Phil is a good guy. He and Amy, his wife, have a few charities that are focused on helping vets:
Birdies for the Brave - support for troops injured in combat
Special Operations Warrior Foundation – help fund college educations for the children of Special Ops military injured or KIA
Homes for our Troops – building homes adapted for troops who have become disabled during their service.
The Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation focuses on family and education concerns.
Phil is doing society better by using his money as he sees fit than having to give 60+% to the government to pay for pie-in-the-sky programs that have put his state and our country in horrendous debt.
Mallard T. Drake on January 21, 2013 at 1:05 PM
He’s not going to retire at the beginning of the season. That doesn’t make sense. He might move out of CA, which is a big deal because he has been associated with and promoted CA for years. He could flee CA for Florida like Tiger did years ago. In fact most pro golfers, it seems, live in Florida.
I get what you’re saying, but it’s important to know that the PGA Tour (and Mickelson on his own) have generated an -enormous- amount of money for local charities for decades. Far more than any other pro sport: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, etc.
If people like Mickelson “go Galt” then those millions and millions and millions of dollars for charities decrease.
visions on January 21, 2013 at 1:05 PM
But the LA Times told us that millionaires will never leave California because we have such natural beauty!
And so what if he is only an athlete? Don’t they have the right to the money they earn?
PattyJ on January 21, 2013 at 1:06 PM
If we’re going to tax somebody into space, can’t it be Tiger Woods instead? I actually like Mickelson.
Gingotts on January 21, 2013 at 1:06 PM
In what sense is Mickelson not a businessman? He levers his talents and effort to make money for sponsors.
Sports = advertising = money. I hope this is not a revelation.
If that’s not enough of a qualifier, he hires caddies and probably more than a few assistants.
I’m not sure why the Right should acquiesce to the politics of jealousy and start deciding which type of person gets to keep their money.
So, tell us, just how necessary is your job?
chimney sweep on January 21, 2013 at 1:08 PM
Just a reminder:
We live in America.
In America, your pursuit of happiness should not be abridged by taxation by the government, no matter what your pursuit of happiness is.
I have immense sympathy for anyone who is prevented from their pursuit of happiness because of the government.
You should too. And if you come across others who don’t, remind them of our nation’s founding principles and chastise them for forgetting.
beatcanvas on January 21, 2013 at 1:09 PM
Heh. From the article:
I can understand a rise in taxes of a few percent making him want to work (play) less, but there is just no way a rational person thinks it’s worthwhile to play golf for a living to earn something like $25 million take-home, but NOT worthwhile to play golf for a living to earn something like $20 million. (And that’s exaggerating the case, because rising taxes aren’t costing him anywhere close to $5 million/year.)
tneloms on January 21, 2013 at 1:10 PM
Why does it matter if Phil “ENJOYS” his job? If I enjoy my job and you don’t enjoy yours then I should pay a higher tax rate? The job of a professional athlete may look glamorous but it involves hard work, dedication and a ton of stress. I can’t even imagine putting myself through that level of competition week after week. At some point I probably would decide that I had enough money and it wouldn’t be worth the wear and tear to work like that and then turn most of my winnings over to the government. I don’t have “sympathy” for Phil (and I don’t think he expects it) but I certainly would understand his decision to hang it up.
LoriCT on January 21, 2013 at 1:13 PM
Your reflexive desire to attack is apparent here.
astonerii on January 21, 2013 at 1:14 PM
Pro golfers are business men and women. Each golfer is an independent contractor. The money they win at tournaments and their endorsement contracts is their income. If they play well, they benefit. If they play poorly, they suffer. Unlike a pro athlete in a team sport, golfers have to have their own staff and overhead expenses to take care of off-course activities.
Good golfers will make more money in endorsement contracts than from tournaments. If Phil’s or Tiger’s endorsement of a certain golf club or ball increases sales of the those items, then they are indirectly funding jobs for those companies. So while they make a lot of money, they are also stimulating economic activity.
Mallard T. Drake on January 21, 2013 at 1:15 PM
All I argued is that his story is not the kind that is persuasive, and in fact is likely to do just exactly what the progressives want, to turn people off of rich people.
Reading for comprehension is a lost skill these days. Just as is looking at the potential results of taking certain actions.
astonerii on January 21, 2013 at 1:16 PM
Come back an give me an argument that relies on what I wrote, and not some stupid reactionary pablum.
astonerii on January 21, 2013 at 1:17 PM
Very disingenuous article. The author does not cite anything that indicates Phil is “mad as hell” or that he is considering quitting the game entirely. His envy also shows through in the sarcastic tone he takes in his criticism. Anyone in Phil’s position would be a fool not to make changes in light of the new tax situation and I’m sure he is receiving expert advice from his tax advisors.
Ann on January 21, 2013 at 1:19 PM
Doesn’t matter – he’s rich – so he must be punished!!! /sarc
CycloneCDB on January 21, 2013 at 1:20 PM
I want flat taxes.
I do not think businesses which hire people and sell goods to people should be taxed at all.
I personally think taxes should be placed on consumption, not earnings. As it allows those who want to use their wealth helping others, in any way they chose, to do so.
On the other hand, the only, and ONLY thing I said in my comment is that he is not someone that will garner ANY sympathy from people who are not already on this side of the size of government and level of taxation divide.
astonerii on January 21, 2013 at 1:22 PM
What the smart-ass writer, as well as the Astonerii’s of the world forget is that it is PHIL’S money. Not yours, not Obama’s, not the 99%’s. It is his. He uses his time and talent to earn it. Not yours. He gives freely and always has. But you like to think you get more say over what he does with his own money. If you are going to do that, he’s just going to stop making money. It’s that simple. I can’t blame him. Now you want to get pi$$ed because he’s taking it away from you. Sucks to be you.
CycloneCDB on January 21, 2013 at 1:23 PM
Reading is a skill, maybe you could attempt to read my post fully and then come back.
astonerii on January 21, 2013 at 1:27 PM
Poor guy…hard to imagine how he acquired the nickname “FIGJAM.”
Pablo Honey on January 21, 2013 at 1:27 PM
While I wouldn’t blame him for doing so…the author clearly mentions in the comment section that this was a tongue-in-cheek article….
Hostile Gospel on January 21, 2013 at 1:28 PM
He’ll need to both move out of CA, and stop playing tournaments in CA and probably try not to play tournaments in NY, MA and IL — which would eliminate about 1/3 of his current playing schedule
AZ, TX and FLA aren’t the same as SoCal, especially for a native
I would hazard to guess that his yearly tournament expenses approach a million a year($400-500k for his caddie, $100-200k of lodging, and $300-500k of air travel – flying private ain’t cheap, and he’s going home every week giving Amy’s health issues)
phreshone on January 21, 2013 at 1:31 PM
Well, this certainly takes the cake for number of retards on a single post.
Goes to whether is will garner any sympathy for his plight. Hint, not a very sympathetic starting point.
Notice something here? I am not arguing against his choice. Only saying that he is not going to convert anyone to this side of the argument. Nothing at all about whether he should be paying more taxes.
Again, with the statement that those people are not right, but that his sympathy level is not very good, and in fact is negative in this respect.
And I finish off by arguing who would make a good person to make this argument and get converts. If your boss got you into a huge room and stood up and told you, well, you are all going to be looking for new work, I am closing the business because I cannot afford to remain in business with taxes the way they are. Well, that would change some people’s minds.
You all are worse than progressives!
astonerii on January 21, 2013 at 1:32 PM
You’ve said that to three or four of us now. Gee, could it be you, oh common denominator? Maybe you’re not the guru of concise and meaningful writing that you insist you are.
beatcanvas on January 21, 2013 at 1:36 PM
Mind telling me where I wrote anything to that effect? I am more of a meandering writer, and I have admitted as such in the past.
Since you are willing to come back, then please take my argument and show me where it indicates what you say you saw…
Break it down. Go ahead. I bet you cannot. Why? Because you jumped to a conclusion and made it fact in your head.
astonerii on January 21, 2013 at 1:40 PM
He’s a traitor.
/Democrats
/French Socialist Party
^^^^^^^^ This is what the kids call DoublePlusUnGood.
CorporatePiggy on January 21, 2013 at 1:40 PM
Forgive me, but, I thought all golfers with common sense lived in a state that did not have a state income tax. Phil Mikelson’s economic empire spans more than just hitting a little ball. He is into designing golf courses and employing many other people.
SC.Charlie on January 21, 2013 at 1:44 PM
Where in the article is he asking for ‘sympathy for his plight?’
When did Mickelson say he is looking for ‘converts?’
chimney sweep on January 21, 2013 at 1:45 PM
The part where he made it public. You did learn English as a first language?
astonerii on January 21, 2013 at 1:48 PM
Ah,yes. ‘Shut up or we’ll sic the mob on you’
Wonderful.
chimney sweep on January 21, 2013 at 1:50 PM
Where is the mob? I just said he is not very sympathetic as a figure to be making this message valuable. I like the message. Just think the messenger will make it work against the end goal.
astonerii on January 21, 2013 at 1:52 PM
Obama is going to chase everyone with a buck out of the country before he is finished.
Dollayo on January 21, 2013 at 1:53 PM
Declaring people retards isn’t your best foot forward, nor is declaring them worse than progressives.
I didn’t criticize you, by the way. But nonetheless, you responded defensively. I agree – reading is fundamental.
All I said was that it’s worthy of sympathy when the government forces someone to abandon their pursuit of happiness here in America, and urged you to have sympathy. Your writing didn’t sound sympathetic, as evidenced by the comments of others.
But hey – you rock on with your bad self.
beatcanvas on January 21, 2013 at 1:54 PM
Everybody misses the most interesting thought. How many other high-achievers in other fields are thinking the same thoughts and making the same calculations?
Doctors-Specialists and Surgeons. Lawyers (well, who’d miss them, anyway?). Entrepreneurs. Entertainers.
Taxing at these rates is where opportunity costs start to kick in. And, our dear friends on the left have made it quite clear that they aren’t done taxing.
The world is going to get – grayer.
trigon on January 21, 2013 at 1:59 PM
Which goes towards my argument. Much better at changing hearts and minds if it was one of your first choices making the statement, than that last choice…
Maybe I am too biased, I am not really into entertainment. I do not listen to music, watch much tv or movies for that matter, certainly not into sports.
astonerii on January 21, 2013 at 2:12 PM
Let’s put everything in the highest bracket, which by the way is completely unrealistic but for the sake of argument…
In the worst theoretical case he would be paying $2.2 million extra on his $48. While that is not in any way small potatoes, there is no way in hell he could get the $40 million endorsements he gets here if he let’s say… buddies up with Gerard.
Applies equally to most other high earners too. The increase, or in fact going back to previous rate, is so small that it doesn’t make sense to risk everything.
Also a lot of people seem to have not read the article and are taking things far too seriously.
lester on January 21, 2013 at 2:27 PM
The Brits drove all their entertainment talent out in the 70s when their own socialists promised to ‘squeeze the rich till the pips squeak’
True liberal believers like the Beatles and the Stones jumped ship.
But keep telling yourself they’ll suck up whatever the heck your idea of the ‘fair share’ is. You’re a parasite, and people who are able to will kill parasites that attack them.
CorporatePiggy on January 21, 2013 at 2:32 PM
THREAD WINNER
THREAD WINNER
THREAD WINNER
THREAD WINNER
SparkPlug on January 21, 2013 at 2:48 PM
So people were jumping ship in droves before the Bush tax cuts? Everyone is ignoring that we just went back to the good old days and not even as “tough” as those brackets were (250~450).
lester on January 21, 2013 at 2:54 PM
Listen, Slick. It’s not that I don’t understand your point – it’s that you accept the left’s premise on this and are willing to have the discussion on their terms. “His plight”, etc. It’s nonsense.
And by accepting the premise – you devlove the conversation further from the central point, which is that the fruit of each man’s labor – be it a dollar or a million dollars – is his own. It’s his, and it’s not greedy to desire to retain the fruits of your own labor.
CycloneCDB on January 21, 2013 at 2:56 PM
There’s also a 13% state income tax now. Still, Phil should stick it out in the Golden State. I hear that CA is filled with millions of republicans hiding in the shadows who are just waiting to take back the state whenever the mean old GOP finally nominates a candidate they can REALLY get behind. I think these mythical creatures hang out around Bluff Creek.
xblade on January 21, 2013 at 2:57 PM
If those days were so good, why didn’t you go back to the magical Clinton tax rates for everyone?
xblade on January 21, 2013 at 3:02 PM
I don’t think you’ve thought this through. If Phil makes 48 million a year, the state of California is offering to pay him an extra 6 1/4 million a year not to live there.
I’d move to Florida for that kind of money.
trigon on January 21, 2013 at 3:06 PM
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