data-mm-id=”_3uy1bhdv7″>In his latest weekly appearance on the sometimes unhinged Pat McAfee Show, ex-New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick blamed one of the states where he keeps a residence, or two, for the problems his former team has had bringing in the NFL's top free agents.Belichick, who owns multiple properties on the upscale Massachusetts island of Nantucket as well as a home in the town of Hingham, is certainly subject to the so-called "millionaire tax" that the Bay State implemented in 2023. Per the state, "personal income taxpayers, subject to chapter 62, must pay an additional 4% surtax on taxable income over $1,000,000, increased annually for inflation."Speaking with McAfee, the 72-year-old NFL legend blamed the tax for the issues the Patriots have had in attracting top-tier free agents and getting impact players to consent to being traded to New England. “That’s Taxachusetts," he said. "Virtually every player, even the practice squad, even the minimum players are pretty close to $1 million. Once you hit the $1 million threshold, you pay more state tax in Massachusetts. Just another thing you’ve got to contend with in negotiations up there. It’s not like Tennessee or Florida or Nevada. Some of these teams have no state income tax. You get hit pretty hard on that with the agents.”Bill Belichick calls Massachusetts “Taxachusetts” and says state taxes make it harder for the #Patriots to sign free agents.pic.twitter.com/DBrh27aU0o— Carlos Talks Pats (@LosTalksPats) August 26, 2024While it may be a legitimate complaint, it seems a bit odd that Belichick is the one making it as the tax was only in play during his final year in charge in New England and the Patriots' struggles in free agency date back longer than that, really to when Tom Brady took his talents to Tampa Bay in 2020. Since then, New England has truly only signed one Pro Bowl-caliber player in free agency, pass-rusher Matthew Judon, and he's now a member of the Atlanta Falcons following a trade a few weeks ago made by the current Patriots regime. When Brady left, the Patriot Way and the team's ability to attract attractive free agents went with him. Speaking of the Patriot Way, Jacksonville coach Doug Pederson took a shot at that tired trope while praising former New England quarterback Mac Jones. A national champion in college with Alabama, Jones was traded to the Jaguars in March just three seasons after he was picked by Belichick in the first round of the NFL draft."Mac has played extremely well the last couple of weeks and really has bought into what we do," Pederson, who later downplayed his subtle shot at Belichick, said after Jacksonville's 31-0 beatdown of the Falcons. "He'll still revert back to his Patriot ways every now and then and we got to remind him he's in Jacksonville."Jones, who will see his former team this season when the Patriots and Jaguars match up in London, is probably reminded he's in Duval County every time he cashes his paycheck — and doesn't see an additional 4% surtax.
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Michael Bradley s low shot made it 2-0 four minutes after the hour and Clint Dempsey headed home for 3-0 eight minutes later.
Beating Egypt by three goals was enough for the USA to finish ahead of the Africans in this group, and as Italy lost 0-3 to Brazil, the Americans jump from fourth to second place and advance despite losing their two first games.
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The Australian and Chinese teams, and the (China Football Association), have been given stern warnings to ensure that these offences are not repeated in future matches, AFC said in a statement late Thursday.
The AFC also imposed fines totalling 12,000 dollars over the brawl at the AFC U-19 Women?s Championship 2009 match played in Wuhan, China, on August 3.
Australia s Jessica Seaman was suspended for four matches and fined 3,000 dollars after she was found guilty of violating the AFC disciplinary code, AFC said.
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But Watzke, when asked by Kicker if he would consider a move to bring back Mkhitaryan, replied: No.
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Ronaldo, 33, is linked with a stunning €100million switch from Madrid to Juve, with the deal reportedly close to completion.
The Portugal international s arrival would come after Buffon s departure, the former Italy goalkeeper having signed with Paris Saint-Germain.
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I wouldn t be surprised to see Ronaldo at Juventus, he told Sky Sport on Monday.
It would make me happy because it is what the Juventus world needs, to find new idols and adore them.
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Despite Real s disappointing display Ronaldo is adamant this is not the end of the tournament for the Spanish giants.
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Leverkusen dominated the match with 12 shots to five, although both teams finished with three efforts on target, but Guardiola claimed his team produced a better defensive performance than in their previous meeting with Roger Schmidt s men.
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Guardiola s contract expires at the end of the season with Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirming recently that discussions would be held after the culmination of the first half of the Bundesliga campaign.
But Orobitg acknowledged Guardiola s future could lie elsewhere, amid rumours of interest from the likes of Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester City.
Not even I know what Pep s intentions are, he told TZ.
We ve had some intensive talks in the past few days, but when it comes to things like this, he s very private.
He will make up his mind entirely based on his own impressions.
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