Jets Kenyon Sadiq: Tax Trap In Big Apple

Kenyon Sadiq is headed to The Big Apple, and the #16 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, enters the league with a ~$22.34 million rookie contract and a ~$12.8 million signing bonus.

Before the Oregon tight end takes a single snap for the New York Jets, he faces one of the most complicated financial decisions in the entire draft:

Should Sadiq stay tied to Oregon’s 9.9% income tax, or avoid New York’s 10.9% tax trap entirely? For a 21‑year‑old with elite upside and extension potential, the wrong address doesn’t just cost money.

It could cost millions.

APSM breaks down Sadiq’s real estate and residency landscape across his new financial landscape and suggests where the rookie should establish his primary residence to minimize tax damage and maximize long-term wealth and net worth building across:

His home state (Idaho)
His college state (Oregon)
His drafted state (New York)

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Does Kenyon Sadiq Own Any Property?

Sadiq was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, starring at Highland High School before becoming one of the most versatile tight ends in the B1G-10.

There are no public records of Sadiq owning real estate in Idaho, Oregon, Washington or elsewhere. Like most NIL‑era athletes, he likely:

Rented during college
Saved NIL earnings
Waited until the draft to make major real estate decisions

Now, with a ~$12.8 million signing bonus on the way, Sadiq’s first real estate move is a financial survival mission, not a luxury decision.

Market #1: Idaho (Home State)

Median Home Price: ~$440,000
Property Tax Rate: ~0.63%
State Income Tax: 5.8%
Cost of Living: ~5% below U.S. average
Market Trend: 6-9% annual appreciation (Boise, Meridian, Idaho Falls)

Pros

Lower income tax than Oregon and New York
Strong appreciation in Boise metro
Familiar environment
Low property taxes
Lower cost of living

Cons

Not a no‑tax state
Not as tax‑efficient as Nevada or Washington

APSM Take

Idaho is better than Oregon and WAY better than New York, but not perfect. If Sadiq kept Idaho residency, he’d potentially owe:

~$742K in state taxes on his signing bonus
Millions more across his rookie deal

Idaho is a solid fallback, but not the optimal play.

Market #2: Oregon (College State )

Median Home Price: ~$500,000
Property Tax Rate: ~0.9%
State Income Tax: 9.9%
Cost of Living: ~10–15% above U.S. average
Market Trend: 4–6% annual appreciation

Pros

Familiar environment
Strong rental demand in Eugene/Portland
No state sales tax

Cons

9.9% income tax
Lower appreciation than Idaho
High cost of living
Not ideal for high‑income earners

APSM Take

Oregon is not where Sadiq should anchor his residency.

On a ~$12.8M signing bonus:

Oregon (9.9%) → ~$1.27M in state tax
Idaho (5.8%) → ~$742K
Nevada/Washington (0%) → $0

Sadiq could save:

~$525K vs Idaho
~$1.27M vs Oregon

Oregon is the worst of his three options (other than NY/NJ).

Market #3: New York (Drafted State)

Median Home Price: ~$650,000
Property Tax Rate: ~1.7%
State Income Tax: 10.9%
NYC Income Tax: ~3.9%
Cost of Living: ~40% above U.S. average
Market Trend: 3–6% annual appreciation

Pros

Proximity to Jets HQ
Strong rental market
Branding upside in NYC

Cons

10.9% income tax, second highest in America
NYC adds another 3.9%
Aggressive residency audits
Extremely high cost of living
No financial justification for a rookie

APSM Take

Sadiq should never establish New York residency.

On a $12.8M signing bonus:

New York (10.9%) → ~$1.39M in state tax
Oregon (9.9%) → ~$1.27M
Idaho (5.8%) → ~$742K
Nevada/Washington (0%) → $0

New York is the worst possible outcome.

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Best Housing Markets, Rental Markets & Appreciation Rates

Idaho

Best Housing Markets: Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Idaho Falls
Best Rental Markets: Boise metro
Appreciation Rates: 6-9% annually

Oregon

Best Housing Markets: Bend, Eugene, Portland suburbs
Best Rental Markets: Eugene, Portland
Appreciation Rates: 4-6% annually

New York

Best Housing Markets: Manhattan (Upper West Side), Brooklyn (Park Slope), Long Island
Best Rental Markets: Manhattan, Jersey City, Hoboken
Appreciation Rates: 3-6% annually

Property Tax & Capital Gains Considerations

Property Tax

Idaho: ~0.63%
Oregon: ~0.9%
New York: ~1.7%

Capital Gains

Idaho: 5.8%
Oregon: 9.9%
New York: 10.9%

Idaho wins, lowest property tax,
lowest capital gains, and strong appreciation.

Residency Impact on Sadiq’s Signing Bonus

Gross Signing Bonus: $12,800,000
Federal Tax (37%): $8,064,000

Residency State	State Tax Rate	State Tax on Bonus	Estimated Net Signing Bonus
Nevada/Washington	0%	$0	~$8.06M
Idaho	5.8%	$742,000	~$7.32M
Oregon	9.9%	$1.27M	~$6.80M
New York	10.9%	$1.39M	~$6.67M

Nevada or Washington could save Sadiq:

~$742K vs Idaho
~$1.27M vs Oregon
~$1.39M vs New York

This is a multi‑million‑dollar residency decision over his rookie deal.
With a max-extension, this could be the difference in tens of millions.

Investment Scenario:
Turning $8.06M Into Real Wealth

Using the Nevada/Washington residency scenario:

ROI Rate (5 Years)	Projected Value
10% Return	~$10.9M
12% Return	~$12.0M
15% Return	~$13.7M
20% Return	~$16.9M

If Sadiq invests his entire net signing bonus and lives below his means, he can turn $8.06M into $11–17M+ before touching a dollar.

This is how you beat the 70% of athletes who go broke after retirement.

Jock Tax Considerations

Pro-athletes are obligated to pay jock tax to states that levy it.

This is an additional ~2-4% annually off of the gross figures you see media post when a player signs a new contract.

Jock taxes are not levied in the state of Nevada though, giving it even more of an upside than all the other states Sadiq has to choose from.

While residency means the place you actually live and you must spend 182 days/year in that location. If Sadiq wants to maximize his long-term earnings and net worth, he should leave his home state in the past and anchor his new base in a no-income-tax state.

Nevada/Washington Advantage

0% income tax
No tax on signing bonuses
No capital gains tax
Best long‑term wealth compounding

Idaho Disadvantage

5.8% income tax
Lower appreciation

Oregon Disadvantage

9.9% income tax
High capital gains

New York Disadvantage

10.9% income tax
NYC adds another 3.9%
Aggressive audits

APSM Real Estate Verdict

Nevada or Washington Should Be His Primary Residence.
Idaho Should Be His Secondary Market.
Oregon Should Be Avoided (visited).
New York Should Be a Rental Market Only.

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

Establish Nevada or Washington residency immediately.
Rent in New York.
Avoid Oregon and New York residency.
Invest aggressively from Day 1 (index funds, mutual funds).

Sadiq has one of the toughest tax situations in the draft,
but also one of the clearest escape routes.

Suggested Real Estate Strategy for Kenyon Sadiq

Primary residence: Nevada (Henderson, Summerlin, Reno), or Washington (Wenatchee, Spokane, Tri‑Cities)
Secondary: Idaho property for family or long‑term rental
Work base: Short‑term rental in New York/New Jersey
Invest: Majority of signing bonus into index funds + real estate
Goal: Turn ~$8.06M into $11-15+ million by Year 5 (extension year)

Sadiq can turn a high‑tax situation into a long‑term advantage,
if he plays it correctly and listens to his advisors.

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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 / Wiki Commons
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute professional financial advice.