The Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX victory delivered a second Lombardi Trophy to the franchise—and an unexpected tax bill to quarterback Sam Darnold.
Seattle’s 29–13 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium capped a defensive showcase that held New England to 13 points and forced multiple turnovers. But because the championship was played in California, Darnold’s winner’s bonus came with a financial sting.
According to estimates from Sportico, Darnold will owe approximately $249,000 in California state taxes tied to the game. The assessment stems from California’s “jock tax” system, which requires non-resident professional athletes to pay state income tax based on the number of “duty days” spent working in California, including travel, practices, and the game itself, according to The California Post.
Sam Darnold lost money on Sunday?? Boomer says the NFLPA should shut down any future Super Bowls in California: pic.twitter.com/3Rki5K6HT4
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) February 9, 2026
The Seahawks arrived in Northern California on February 1, accumulating eight duty days by the time the Super Bowl concluded Sunday night. Under that formula, a portion of Darnold’s annual compensation becomes taxable in California, even though he does not reside in the state.
Darnold earned $178,000 as part of the NFL’s standard winner’s bonus for players on the championship team. The math leaves him facing a net loss of roughly $71,000 from the bonus alone once the California tax obligation is applied.
The quarterback is currently in the first year of a three-year, $105 million contract with Seattle, a deal that dwarfs the one-game tax bill but also illustrates how California’s top income tax rate—the highest in the nation—and its allocation rules can materially affect athletes for a single high-profile event.
He celebrated his Super Bowl win by thanking his parents.
"I'm here because of you guys. You believed in me."
Sam Darnold made sure to thank his family after the biggest win of his career ❤️@insidethenfl Super Bowl LX Mic’d Up on X pic.twitter.com/h8gMoZ58XP
— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026
Looking ahead, the Seahawks could again encounter California tax exposure during the 2026 season, depending on how many regular-season or postseason games the league schedules for them in the state.
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