It’s not just playoff hopes that are on thin ice in Milwaukee. Rumor has it Giannis Antetokounmpo—franchise cornerstone, two-time MVP, and all-around Wisconsin hero—is keeping an “open mind” about his future. Sure, free agency and roster drama always swirl around NBA superstars, but here’s the full-court press reality: Wisconsin’s tax code might be playing defense against its own economic success.
Giannis makes tens of millions a year. In Wisconsin, that means he’s paying a top state income tax rate of 7.65%. Florida or Texas? Zero. Nada. Zilch. When you’re signing a contract worth $228 million, you don’t need an accountant to explain the difference.
And it’s not just Giannis. Wisconsin’s tax climate is driving out job creators, retirees, entrepreneurs—and yes, maybe even power forwards. States with zero income tax are running fast breaks on Wisconsin’s stagnant playbook. Idaho, Florida, Texas, Tennessee—these are places where families and businesses alike are voting with their feet. That’s not speculation; it’s IRS migration data.
But in the Badger State, meaningful tax reform is stuck in the locker room. Legislative Republicans have tried—let’s give credit where it’s due. They’ve proposed income tax cuts that would have helped working families, small business owners, and yes, even star athletes. But Governor Tony Evers put the kibosh on it with a veto pen that’s seen more action than a healthy Damian Lillard.
And Evers didn’t just block tax cuts. He’s used his “Franken-veto” power to create a 400-year education spending mandate—because nothing says “future-focused” like locking taxpayers into the same funding formula until the year 2425.
The result? Legislative appetite meets gubernatorial heartburn. Every time reform gets momentum, Evers swats it away like he’s auditioning for Giannis’s job.
It’s no surprise that folks are looking elsewhere. Whether you’re a middle-class family trying to save for college or a high-net-worth individual planning your retirement (or your next championship ring), Wisconsin is falling behind. And the message is clear: If the Greek Freak’s financial advisors are doing the math, they’re probably circling Miami or Dallas with a highlighter.
So here’s the deal: Wisconsin doesn’t have to lose. We’ve got talent, we’ve got grit, and we’ve got a fanbase that knows loyalty. But until we fix our tax code and stop punishing success, we’ll keep seeing our stars—and our dollars—heading for the tunnel.
If the state wants to stay competitive, it’s time to let the legislature run a real offense and deliver tax relief to the people who drive our economy. Because if Giannis really does leave, we won’t just lose a player—we’ll lose a glaring reminder that stagnant tax policy doesn’t win championships.
And you can’t blame that on the refs.