from Nate Rau of The Tennessean,

The state legislature on Monday abolished the special tax professional hockey and basketball players pay when they play in Tennessee.

For NHL players, the so-called jock tax would end once it is signed by Gov. Bill Haslam and becomes law. For NBA players, it will continue for two more years. The House vote was 66-25 and the Senate vote was 30-2.

The bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. David Alexander, R-Winchester, said his goal was to end a constitutionally suspect law. Alexander said the jock tax likely would fail to pass legal challenges because professional hockey and basketball players have been subject to the tax since 2009, but professional football players are exempt.

Under the current law, players pay $2,500 per game when they play in Tennessee up to $7,500. The revenue has ultimately been forwarded to the owners of the Nashville Predators and Memphis Grizzlies for the purpose of bringing more events to their arenas.

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