Philadelphia Eagles Get Tax Credit for Michael Vick

Some days sports, crime and pieces of state tax law come together in interesting and unexpected ways. This is one of those days! The Philadelphia Eagles stand to receive a $10,000 tax credit for signing jailed dog-fighter Michael Vick, who was formerly one of the most electrifying players in college football history and a compulsively watchable, if disappointing, pro quarterback.

The Philly Daily News reports:

The Mayor's Office for the Re-entry of Ex-Offenders (MORE) offers a $10,000 tax credit for employers who hire people who have been released from prison. Vick.. spent 18 months in federal prison for his crimes against canines.

The team spokesperson has said that the MORE credit had nothing to do with the team's decision to sign him. I'd say, considering the credit is about 0.6 percent of Vick's one-year $1.6 million salary.

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2009/08/philadelphia-eagles-get-tax-credit-for-michael-vick/24055/