Watch Live: Congressional Hearing on IRS Scandal

Live Now on TheBlaze Radio: ‘The Buck Sexton Show’

Sports

Phil Mickelson Now Sorry to Those He ‘Upset’ or ‘Insulted’ After Bashing High Taxes

Jan. 23, 2013 7:34am Jonathon M. Seidl

Phil Mickelson Apologies for Statement Complaining About High Taxes

FILE – In this Feb. 19, 2012 file photo, Phil Mickelson plays during the final round of the Northern Trust Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. Mickelson says he should have kept his opinions on taxes to himself. Mickelson had suggested “drastic changes” were in store for him — perhaps moving from his native California — because of changes in federal and state taxes that he says tap into more than 60 percent of his income. Credit: AP

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Phil Mickelson is talking more about how much he pays in taxes than how many fairways he hits off the tee.

Mickelson, regarded as the “People’s Choice” for his connection with fans, put his popularity on the line with polarizing comments about how much he has to pay in state and federal taxes. The four-time major champion said it might lead to “drastic changes,” such as moving from his native California, and that it already caused him to pull out of the San Diego Padres’ new ownership group.

His only regret was not keeping his opinion to himself.

“Finances and taxes are a personal matter, and I should not have made my opinions on them public,” Mickelson said in a statement released Monday night. “I apologize to those I have upset or insulted, and assure you I intend not to let it happen again.”

Mickelson first made a cryptic reference to “what’s gone on the last few months politically” during a conference call two weeks ago for the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, where he won last year for his 40th career PGA Tour title. After his final round Sunday at the Humana Challenge, he was asked what he meant.

“There are going to be some drastic changes for me because I happen to be in that zone that has been targeted both federally and by the state, and it doesn’t work for me right now,” he said. “So I’m going to have to make some changes.”

Mickelson said the new federal tax rate, and California voting for Proposition 30 to increase taxes on the earnings over $250,000, contributed to total taxes that tap into more than 60 percent of his income.

Golf Digest magazine, in its annual survey of top earners in the sports, said Mickelson made just over $45 million last year on and off the golf course.

The response to Mickelson’s opinions on taxes ranged from mocking a guy who has become a multimillionaire by playing golf to support for having such a high tax rate and not being afraid to speak his mind.

A majority of PGA Tour players live in Florida and others in Texas, two states that have no state income tax. Tiger Woods grew up in Southern California and played two years at Stanford. He was a California kid when he won an unprecedented three straight U.S. Amateur titles, but when he made his professional debut in Milwaukee a week later, he was listed as being from Orlando, Fla.

“I moved out of here back in `96 for that reason,” Woods said Tuesday.

“I enjoy Florida, but also I understand what he was – I think – trying to say,” Woods said of the Mickelson comments. “I think he’ll probably explain it better and in a little more detail.”

Mickelson deflected questions at the Humana Challenge by saying he would prefer to elaborate at his news conference at Torrey Pines.

That couldn’t wait.

“I know I have my usual pre-tournament press conference scheduled this week but I felt I needed to address the comments I made following the Humana Challenge now,” Mickelson said in his statement. “I absolutely love what I do. I love and appreciate the game of golf and the people who surround it. I’m as motivated as I’ve ever been to work on my game, to compete and to win championships.

“Right now, I’m like many Americans who are trying to understand the new tax laws. I’ve been learning a lot over the last few months and talking with people who are trying to help me make intelligent and informed decisions. I certainly don’t have a definitive plan at this time, but like everyone else I want to make decisions that are best for my future and my family.”

Mickelson’s news conference Wednesday will come after his pro-am round in the Farmers Insurance Open, a tournament he first won 20 years ago.

“He definitely showed a lack of sympathy for the plight of a lot of people, unemployed and all that sort of stuff,” Geoff Ogilvy said. “But everything is relative. He’s verbalized when he’s thinking, and you shouldn’t get in trouble for verbalizing what you’re thinking.”

Texas Gov. Rick Perry even weighed in with this tweet: “Hey Phil….Texas is home to liberty and low taxes…we would love to have you as well!!”

Mickelson is among the most famous athletes to come out of San Diego. He went to school at Arizona State and lived in Scottsdale, Ariz., for the first decade of his career until moving back home to Rancho Santa Fe.

He was part of the group that bought the Padres, saying that it would be a “significant investment” for him but that he saw it as a great opportunity to get involved in his hometown. Asked if the tax changes were why he withdrew, Mickelson said, “Absolutely.”

Mickelson has earned just under $70 million in PGA Tour earnings for his career, which doesn’t include corporate endorsements (Callaway, Barclays, Rolex) or his golf course design company, which is thriving in China.

In November, California voters approved Proposition 30, the first statewide tax increase since 2004. It raises the rate on earnings over $250,000 for seven years.

“If you add up all the federal and you look at the disability and the unemployment and the Social Security and the state, my tax rate is 62, 63 percent,” Mickelson had said. “So I’ve got to make some decisions on what I’m going to do.”

The reaction to Mickelson’s comments from the California legislature split along party lines, with Republicans saying they expect more high-earners to follow and Democrats saying multimillionaires can afford to pay more.

“You know, it’s sad,” said Assembly Minority Leader Connie Conway, R-Tulare. “And I think it’ll be the first of many.”

Democrats said there is no evidence in the U.S. or California of mass departures in the wake of higher taxes on the wealthy. State Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, D-Sacramento, called Mickelson “the exception rather than the rule.”

This is not the first time Mickelson’s opinions have brought him attention. Ten years ago, he came to Torrey Pines and apologized for Woods for saying in magazine article that the world’s No. 1 player was using inferior equipment.

These comments on paying taxes were sure to resonate with far more people.

Ogilvy recently moved from San Diego County to Scottsdale, though his reason was more about golf than taxes. He bought a home in Del Mar and lived with his wife and three kids for about four years, knowing there were other states he could live with lower tax rates.

“It’s a little bit of one negative to a lot of positives,” Ogilvy said. “If the tax rate in California was the same as it was in Texas, half the tour would live here. The lifestyle is impressive. The climate is impressive. But even the ones who grow up here move away.”

—

Juliet Williams and Don Thompson in Sacramento contributed to this story.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (83)

Tom K
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:31am
Mister Mickelson, Do NOT apologize to those knuckleheads that are taxing You at an OBSCENE Rate AND then pizzing away EVERY Californian’s tax money AND putting California in DEBT. You have reached the pinnacle of success in the golfing world and you have EARNED every dollar, so NEVER apologize for that either. You Are A Success – You Built THAT ! Come on down to Florida and enjoy your hard earned money. Let California WALLOW in their own MESS.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- hypnos
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:52am
  Mr.Mickleson is a class act unfortunately the left are bullies.So Phil hold your head high there are plenty of people who support your first admendment rights.
  
  Report this comment
- JRook
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 12:22pm
  Perhaps they should speak to Romney and find out how to hide their income in shell corporations, off shore accounts and $100 million IRAs. Let’s not feel too bad for Phil as he gets to write-off a wide range of expenses against his taxes including world wide travel, coaches, fitness coaches, masseuses and of course business managers who spend their days minimizing his tax liability through some legal, but questionable tactics.
  
  Report this comment
- Mojoron
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 12:37pm
  I think retrospect is always a good thing. You can make your statement by moving from California to Nevada or Florida and let that be your answer to high taxes. The truth would leak out after a while and you won’t have to say a word.
  
  Report this comment
- superpatriot2
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 12:48pm
  Great comment Tom, agree 100%
  
  Report this comment
- kenboo1
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 1:24pm
  JRook You sound like a “TAKER”!!! TAKERS are people who have no self worth. Who talk on their Obama phone while getting money from their EBT card at the race track or strip joint. TAKERS are worthless… TAKERS are lazy!!! TAKERS should leave the planet because there is no use for them here…
  
  Report this comment
Isaiah52021
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:31am
They did one of two things either they threatened him with an IRS audit for the past X years and let him know they WILL. find something , or theylet him know if your quiet we’ll show you how to get around all these taxes. Either way looks like a sell out to me

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ares338
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:29am
Crapola…..I hate it when someone makes a bold statement then goes all limp wristed and starts back pedaling. I hope your taxes go to 80%.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- texianna
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 9:04am
  Agreed, and this applies to Wes Welker’s wife.
  If you’re not strong enough to stand behind your words, save us all from the political correctness, and don’t say or write it in the first place.
  
  Report this comment
Uechi
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:24am
Philly you are a candy butt coward!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- MAULEMALL
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:34am
  Unlike you who says that from behind the anonymity of a fake name in your moms spare room…
  
  Report this comment
biohazard23
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:24am
Phil, stop apologizing and just move to Isleworth already. We here in FL would love to have you.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
hauschild
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:22am
I hate it when guys on “our” side never think about offending “us” when they implement damage control to avoid offending others.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Robey1960
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:21am
We need more people in the public’s eye to speak out, not less. Phil let them win. He should grow some nads and tell it as he sees it and never back down!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
FightingBear
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:19am
Phil,

Do not apologize because you may have offended someone who thinks you should pay more in taxes.

To hell with the people who are offended by your opinion and your willingness to speak out.

This political correctness BS has gone too far. Let’s get back to the days when we could call a spade “a spade” and if someone was offended well they would walk out of the room, change the channel, or make an appointment with their counselor.

I don’t give a damned about anyone getting their feelings hurt. These lefties need to grow up and toughen up. I refuse to be part of this PC BS and if people are offended ….I really don’t give a damned.

Make no apologies Phil. Move your family to a state/country where they don’t have their hand permanently attached to your wallet. California deserves what they are dealing with. Liberalism has brought them here.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
HKS
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:11am
Is this a great country or what, you now have no rights to an opinion, thank you Obama.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Mil-Dot
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:07am
Another apologizing goon that does not have the nuts to stand by his statements. Another coward that insists everybody like him. Somebody must have gotten to him. One of Obama’s supporters must have had a problem with what the said. Pfftt.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- joey g
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:21am
  He is a repukin for sure
  
  Report this comment
freenj
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:06am
Shut up girly mann, signed Ahnald.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
1FreeVoice
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:03am
Excellence in any field is rewarded according to how the people paying for it, value it. For someone to be very good at something is reason to admire and want to be more like them, not single them out for punishment. We are promised equal opportunity to try, not equal success – or there would be no baseball stars because all the statistics had been evened out to make it more “fair”.

While finances are personal, taxes are very much a public subject. Speaking honestly (when asked)about how the new taxes affect a real person admired for his skill is hardly out of line. It is a free country, and everyone is certainly entitled to his own opinion, particularly one based on his own experience.

I find it rather disturbing that exercising his right to free speech in this way is considered “brave”. Aren’t we supposed to have open discussion on things like taxes that affect all of us? Why should it be “brave” to say what you think? Think about this. The reaction or expected reaction from people who disagree is enough to make open disagreement an act of courage. I think that it is a form of censorship… if you disagree keep your mouth shut, or else. I think it is dangerous to our society, and we need to find ways to oppose it – in society, not in the courts. Good manners, civility etc. need more respect, and it must not be considered bad manners to politely disagree.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Gonzo
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:02am
Hey Phil, I’m insulted by your apology. If I was only taking home 38% of what I earn, I would be moving too.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
jackact
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:01am
I’m not upset or insulted and paying high taxes is not personal – its collective and must be challenged.
Your too nice a guy Phil.
Let us do the heavy lifting.
Speak up or forever apologize for the hubris of your own federal government which will begin running out of other peoples money very soon.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
poorrichard09
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:59am
His first mistake was trusting a so-called “journalist” to not be a big gov’t loving stooge!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
NoMoMrNiceGuy
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:59am
How could anyone be “INSULTED” by you expressing the Govt. is out of freekin control. We are so screwed America !

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
love the kids
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:57am
Boy, he gave up 63% of his money and his right to free speech all in 2 days, at this pace Phil, the Constution will be gone in a couple months

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
love the kids
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:55am
“Finances and taxes are a personal matter, and I should not have made my opinions on them public,” Mickelson said in a statement released Monday night. “I apologize to those I have upset or insulted, and assure you I intend not to let it happen again.”

How are they not public when all the left does is tax someone like you and label you a 1%er.
I wish the rich would take a year off of earning money where they can, (such as selling all investments they can and just go into an interest bearing account). This way, people would stop calling them “Fat Cats”, after all, isn’t that what the Liberals really want, for them not to make so much money, or do they just want their money after they earn it???

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Trigus
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:04am
  Phil, leave California – solution solved.
  
  In a act of great generosity and to ask the government of Mexico for forgiveness. I ask all Americans to petition that California be given back to Mexico. This is the least we can do, as a country, to make amends for the Obama’s Administration illegal arming of Mexican Drug Cartels that have led to countless deaths of American Citizens and Mexican Nationals.
  
  Report this comment
PoliticallyRightUs.Com
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:53am
9% Sales Tax in California plus 13% Tax on your wages, 18% gas tax, 440.00 a year vehicle registration fee, 1.25% property tax, tax’s on your home phone, tax’s on your cell phone, tax’s on electricity bills, crazy high TAX’S ON you vehicle registration fee and we have not even left the subject of California tax’s. Now we need to address the national tax’s assessed by the Federal Gov.t What the heck is left of your paycheck but debt!!!
I do take solace in one thing though… The same Democrats that voted for these monsters have to pay right along side the rest of us… JA!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- 1FreeVoice
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 9:17am
  Do they actually pay the same taxes? Tyranny is imposing laws on others that are not applied to you…. Do democrats get audited at the same rate as republicans? Do democrats evade more taxes (legally or illegally)? It is hard to figure comparative estimates for tax evasion by different groups – obviously. Do liberals view the rules as applying to them as much as to everyone else? The fellow breaking local gun laws on TV didn’t think the law applied to him, AND he wasn’t prosecuted. I know it’s not the same, but I feel that there may be a broader … I am not sure of the right word… I can’t put my finger on it yet, but I sense something.
  
  People who obey the law tend to assume other people do as well. I have seen people on the left break the law and get away with it. Do they respect the law, and try to obey it as much as conservatives do? If not, are they violating tax law more often than people who respect the law?
  
  Besides, think of all the people on the public dole who vote for bread and circuses…
  ***
  Beware : the roman empire is endangered, the poor are funded better than the military… and enemies do not sleep when they sense weakness.
  
  * * *
  
  Report this comment
redfish52
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:48am
Phil….you big arthritic sissy…what happened? Did one of your Liberal sponsors give you a “come to Jesus” speech? You don’t owe California anything you big dummy….its your money not theirs. Put on your big boy pants and tell the whole state to F…….off!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
randy
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:48am
The road to tyrany is paved with good men doing nothing.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
blanco5
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:48am
I am soooo sick of people who speak the truth apologizing! Who got to him and why?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- love the kids
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:01am
  I want to know who he actually insulted??? Because I have to tell you, it was his apology that insulted me. Phil, I would now like an apology
  
  Report this comment
- Zipit
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:14am
  05! Sponsors, tour, tradition of not dragging the game into public controversy! Who knows!!! He is still a genuinely good guy, who even though he has apologized for making his comments public, has continued the debate about a confiscatory government and tax system! His message has been heard, and for the most part understood!
  
  Report this comment
Metallicat
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:47am
Stop jacking it in San Diego and run from California.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
huey6367
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:43am
Phil, do you believe what you said? Never apologize for rational comments. A lot of people in the US and in CA listened to every word you said and are in complete agreement with you. Did ya know California has a 13.5% state tax? That’s insane. Come to Florida. We have no state income tax, it rarely gets very cold and you should see what walks down the beaches here.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
MittensKittens
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 7:42am
Yep they got to him, what a *****…Should have stuck to his guns.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Welcome Black Carter
  Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:29am
  Phil,
  I am one of the people you offended.
  I want you to do something for me.
  Go to your wife’s sock drawer.
  Root around in there. you will probably find your “man-card”.
  Take it out. Now, keep it with you at all times.
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.