Arvell Reese Has a Tax Trap He MUST Avoid

Arvell Reese, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, enters the league with a $47.83 million rookie contract and a $31.2 million signing bonus.

He’s a Cleveland kid through and through, attended Glenville High School, went to The Ohio State, became a national champion, won Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, and now the rookie is heading to the New York Giants as the potential centerpiece of a new era.

The Glenville to New York story is picture perfect.
The tax situation is no where near picture worthy.

Before Reese makes a single tackle in blue, he has to answer the question that will quietly decide how much of his rookie money he actually keeps:

Will Arvell Reese stay an Ohio resident and spend half the year “at home”, or let New York or New Jersey become his tax home?

APSM breaks down Reese’s real estate landscape and suggests where he could establish his primary residence to maximize his net worth across the four states that now define his financial future:

His home and college state (Ohio)
His drafted state (New York)
His playing state (New Jersey)

Does Arvell Reese Own Any Property?

Reese grew up on the east side of Cleveland, starring at Glenville High School before heading to Columbus to become a Consensus All‑American at Ohio State.

There are no public records of Reese owning real estate during his time at Ohio State or prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.

Like most NIL‑era stars, he likely:

Rented during college
Stacked NIL earnings
Delayed major real estate purchases until after the draft

That means his first big real estate decision will likely come now, as a top‑5 pick with a ~$31.2 million signing bonus and a move to New York in store.

That’s exactly where the danger is.

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Market #1: Ohio (Home State & College State)

Median Home Price (Ohio): ~$235,000
Property Tax Rate: ~1.6%
State Income Tax: 3.75%
Cost of Living: ~10% below U.S. average
Market Trend: Slow, steady appreciation (2–4% annually)

Pros

Lower state income tax (3.75%)
Affordable housing
Familiar environment (Cleveland + Columbus)
Stable, predictable real estate market
Strong sports culture and community roots

Cons

Not a no‑income‑tax state
Lower long‑term appreciation than coastal or boom markets
Limited ultra‑luxury corridors compared to New York

APSM Take

For Reese, Ohio is already a financial advantage compared to where he’s going (the same is true for anyone drafted to New York/New Jersey that is not from there or the state of California, the two highest tax-states.

On a ~$31.2 million signing bonus:

At 3.75% (Ohio) → ~$1.17M in state tax
At 10.9% (New York) → ~$3.40M in state tax

That’s ~$2.23 million in extra tax just for changing his address.

If he accidentally establishes New York City residency, the combined state + city rate (~14.8%) pushes that gap to over ~$3.4 million on just his signing bonus. This could become tens of millions over the course of his pro career.

Ohio isn’t Florida or Tennessee tax-wise, but compared to New York, the state of Ohio becomes more of .

Market #2: New York (Team Market and the Trap)

Median Home Price (New York State): ~$650,000
Median Rent (NYC): $3,500–$5,000+ per month in many Manhattan/Brooklyn neighborhoods
Property Tax Rate: ~1.7% (statewide average)
State Income Tax: up to 10.9% (top bracket)
NYC Income Tax (if resident): up to ~3.876%
Cost of Living: ~25–40% above U.S. average in NYC
Market Trend: long‑term appreciation in prime NYC areas, but they come with high volatility and costs that may not be worth the trouble

Pros

Proximity to Giants HQ and team facilities
Global media, branding, and endorsement hub
Strong luxury rental and condo markets

Cons

10.9% state income tax
Up to ~14.8% combined state + city tax if NYC resident
Extremely high cost of living
Aggressive residency and audit enforcement
One of the worst tax environments in the NFL for high earners

APSM Take

This is one of the worst residency decisions any player in this draft could make. On his ~$31.2 million signing bonus alone:

Ohio residency (3.75%) → ~$1.17M to state tax
New York residency (10.9%) → ~$3.40M to state tax
New York City residency (~14.8%) → $4.6M+ to state + city tax

That’s:

~$2.23M more if he goes from Ohio → New York State
~$3.4M more if he goes from Ohio → New York City

That’s before base salary, incentives, or second contract (extension).

New York and New Jersey are where Reese works.
Neither should not be where he legally lives on paper.

Should Reese Explore a No‑Income‑Tax State?

Reese is represented by Klutch Sports, one of the most sophisticated agencies in the game. The smart play for a client like this is:

Keep Ohio residency, or
Explore legitimate ties to a no‑income‑tax state (Texas, Florida) through:
- Property ownership
- Family ties
- Actual time spent there

If Reese can legally and defensibly establish residency in a no‑income‑tax state, the savings over his career could be eight figures.

Not becoming a New York or NYC resident is already a multi‑million‑dollar win.

Residency Impact on Reese’s Signing Bonus

Gross Signing Bonus: $31,200,000
Federal Tax (37%): $19,656,000

Residency	State/Local Tax Rate	State/Local Tax on Bonus	Estimated Net Signing Bonus
Ohio	3.75%	$1,170,000	~$18.486M
New York State	10.9%	$3,400,800	~$16.64M
New York City Resident	~14.8%	$4.62M+	~$15.42M

Difference (Ohio vs New York State):

~$2.23M more in tax if he becomes a New York resident

Difference (Ohio vs NYC Resident):

$3M+ more in tax if he becomes a New York City resident

That’s the cost of falling in love with Manhattan and putting it on your driver’s license.

Investment Scenario:
Letting Glenville Money Compound

Using the Ohio residency scenario:

Gross Signing Bonus: $31,200,000
Federal Tax (37%): $19,656,000
Ohio Income Tax (3.75%): $1,170,000
Estimated Net Signing Bonus: ~$18,486,000

ROI Rate (5 Years)	Projected Value on $18.486M
10% Return	~$29.7M
12% Return	~$32.6M
15% Return	~$37.1M
20% Return	~$46.0M

Now zoom out to 10 years at a 12% average return:

~$18.5 million invested at age 20
Left untouched for a decade
Approaches $60+ million from the signing bonus alone

That’s before:

Base salary
Incentives
Endorsements
Second contract money

Reese has time on his side, more than almost anyone in this class.

If he treats this like his one guaranteed payday and lets it compound, he’s not looking at $35-$40+ million when he’s done with football.

He’s looking at a completely different number that he will then have to decide how to diverse to last for generations.

This is the power of investing and choosing wealth at home over flash outside, on social media, etc.

Jock Tax Considerations

NFL players pay jock taxes in nearly every state they play road games in.

Residency affects:

How much income is taxed at home
How much is taxed on the road
How much of the signing bonus is taxed
How much of the base salary is protected

Ohio Advantage

Lower state income tax (3.75%)
No city income tax drag like NYC
Familiar, defensible residency

New York / NYC Disadvantage

10.9% state income tax
Up to ~3.876% NYC income tax
Aggressive residency audits
One of the highest combined tax burdens in the country

APSM Take

Reese could:

Keep Ohio residency, or
Explore a no‑income‑tax state if it’s legitimate and defensible

But under no circumstance should he:

Put a New York or New York City address on his legal documents
Sign long‑term leases in Manhattan that make him look like a resident on paper

New York/New Jersey is where Reese he plays. Ohio, or a no‑tax state, should be where he lives financially (and for 182 days in a calendar year).

APSM Real Estate Verdict

Ohio Should Be His Primary Residence (for Now).
New York Should Be Treated as a Workplace, Not a Tax Home.

If Arvell Reese wants to maximize his rookie earnings, protect his signing bonus, and build long‑term wealth, the move is simple:

Do not establish New York or NYC residency.
Maintain Ohio residency while he plays for the Giants.
Work with Klutch’s financial team to explore a no‑income‑tax state if it fits his life.

Financial literacy from Glenville to Giants Stadium.

Reese has all the tools on the field. His residency decision will determine how much of the money he actually keeps.

Don’t let New York take what Ohio doesn’t have to give.

Suggested Real Estate Strategy for Arvell Reese

Primary residence: Ohio (Cleveland/Columbus corridor)
Secondary: Short‑term rental in New Jersey/New York for convenience (not residency)
Long‑term option: Explore no‑income‑tax state residency if life and family structure allow
Invest: Majority of signing bonus into index funds and diversified assets
Goal: Turn ~$18.5M into $40-$60+ million over the next decade

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Next Reads

Credits

Written By: Aidan Anderson
Research & Analysis: Apostle Sports Media LLC
Sources: NFL Draft Data, Sportico, Spotrac, Zillow / Redfin Market Research, ESPN, WSJ, APSM Proprietary Analysis
Featured Image: Public Domain / Instagram
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute professional financial advice.