Amon-Ra St. Brown’s recent contract extension with the Detroit Lions has propelled him to the top of the NFL’s highest-paid wide receivers.
The four-year contract, allegedly worth $120 million, extended his stay with the Lions until 2028, putting him on level with Tyreek Hill in terms of compensation, albeit with more guarantees.
The size of St. Brown’s contract is unprecedented in Lions history, second only to Matthew Stafford’s. It also breaks Calvin Johnson’s record for the most money earned by a receiver during his time with the team.
Despite the astounding figures, a recent analysis by earnings analyst Andrew Petcash reveals a sobering reality: St. Brown will lose over half of his $30 million annual income to taxes alone.
Petcash”s breakdown illustrates that federal taxes will deduct $11.1 million from St. Brown”s yearly earnings, with an additional $900,000 allocated to his agent, Jock tax and FICA/Medicare will further diminish his income by $894,000 and $703,000, respectively, while Michigan state taxes will claim an additional $637,000.
The staggering sum leaves St. Brown with a mere $15.7 million to take home, highlighting the stark contrast between his earnings and the deductions imposed by taxes.
In comparison, Tyreek Hill”s tenure with the Miami Dolphins affords him significant tax advantages, as Miami boasts lower tax rates as compared to Michigan. The allure of reduced tax burdens has made Miami an enticing destination for athletes seeking to retain a larger portion of their earnings.
