Ohtani's deal prompts state controller to ask for a cap on deferred payments
California Controller Malia M. Cohen wants Congress to change the tax code to cap deferred payments, a change that could ensure the state is owed more money from Shohei Ohtani.
Cohen made the request four weeks after the twoway star and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a record $700 million, 10year contract that contains $680 million in deferred payments due from 2034-43. If Ohtani is not living in California at the time he receives the deferred money, he potentially could avoid what currently is the state's 13.3% income tax and 1.1% payroll tax for State Disability Insurance.
“The current tax system allows for unlimited deferrals for those fortunate enough to be in the highest tax brackets, creating a significant imbalance in the tax structure,” Cohen said in a statement Monday. “The absence of reasonable caps on deferral for the wealthiest individuals exacerbates income inequality and hinders the fair distribution of taxes. I would urge Congress to take immediate and decisive action to rectify this imbalance.”
Ohtani's deal has the potential to save $98 million in state tax, according to the California Center for Jobs and the Economy, a public benefit corporation that aims to provide information on job creation and economic trends.
MARLINS IN AGREEMENT TO HIRE BALKOVEC AS DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT >> The Miami Marlins are in agreement with Yankees minor league manager Rachel Balkovec to become their director of player development, according to a
person familiar with the deal.
The person confirmed an MLB.com report of Balkovec's hiring to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the deal.
Balkovec finished her second season as manager at Class A Tampa in September. She debuted with the team in April 2022 with a win as the first woman to manage a Major League Baseball affiliate.
Before that, Balkovec was the first woman to serve as a full-time minor league strength and conditioning coach, then the first to be a full-time hitting coach in the minors with the Yankees.
NFL
TITANS FIRE COACH VRABEL AFTER BACK-TO-BACK LOSING SEASONS >> Tennessee Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk wants a fresh approach to compete in the NFL, so she fired coach Mike Vrabel on Tuesday morning after six seasons and losing 18 of the past 24 games.
Strunk said in a statement it was a decision “as difficult as any I've made.”
Strunk said she assessed the team throughout the season in an interview released by the team.
The Titans went 7-10 in 2022 and just finished a 6-11 season Sunday.
The Titans now are the sixth NFL team at the moment looking for a new coach, joining Atlanta and Washington who fired coaches Monday. The Raiders, the Chargers and Panthers didn't wait for the season to end before firing coaches.
STEELERS ARE STICKING WITH QB RUDOLPH >>
Mason Rudolph's unlikely renaissance will continue into the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he is sticking with the former third-string quarterback ahead of a trip to AFC East champion Buffalo on Sunday.
Rudolph is 3-0 as a starter since taking over for an ineffective Mitch Trubisky before a game against Cincinnati on Dec. 23. While starter Kenny Pickett has fully recovered from right ankle surgery in early December, Tomlin doesn't want to chance derailing the rhythm Pittsburgh's offense has found under Rudolph.
COLTS OWNER IRSAY BEING TREATED FOR SEVERE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS >>
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is being treated for a severe respiratory illness and will be unable to perform with his band later this week, team officials said Tuesday.
The announcement comes three days after Indy was eliminated from playoff contention with a 23-19 loss to the Houston Texans.
The Jim Irsay Band was scheduled to perform in Los Angeles on Thursday night.
The 64-year-old Irsay began running the team's dayto-day operations in 1995 after his father, Robert, suffered a stroke. When his father died in 1997, he won a legal battle with his stepmother to keep the franchise.