Jock-tax ruling delayed during appeal to US Supreme Court

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court has delayed its decision striking down the way Cleveland taxes visiting professional athletes while the city appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The state court ruled earlier this year that the city’s method for taxing athletes based on the number of games played violates players’ due process rights.

It ruled the city must assess taxes based on the total number of days each visiting player works in a year, as is common elsewhere.

The state Supreme Court granted Cleveland’s request Wednesday. The city argued the appeal to the nation’s high court was necessary because of the decision’s widespread implications.

At issue were challenges by former Chicago Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer and retired Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday.