According to Cuneyt Dil of Axios, the Washington Commanders will unveil plans for a $3 billion football stadium at the site of the team’s iconic RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. Commanders owner Josh Harris will join DC Mayor Muriel Bowser at the National Press Club for the announcement at 11:00 a.m. Monday.
The Commanders want to open the new stadium by 2030.
News of a deal between the Commanders and city officials surfaced last week in a report by NBC4 Washington. The team is reportedly committed to paying up to $2.5 billion of the stadium’s cost.
The partnership will also include public funding, likely toward the stadium’s infrastructure and surrounding development. The city’s price tag could be around $850 million.
The deal comes after years of the team pushing for a new stadium, going back to previous owner Dan Snyder.
The Commanders played at RFK Stadium under its previous team moniker from 1961-1996. The late Jack Kent Cooke moved the team’s playing home to nearby Landover, Maryland, before he died. Washington opened the stadium in September 1997.
Initially dubbed Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, the stadium changed names to FedEx Field and Northwest Stadium. Decrepit conditions have marred Washington’s current home. Harris vowed to get a new stadium once he completed the purchase of the team in July 2023.
Harris and his ownership group invested $75 million in renovations and improvements to Northwest Stadium.
Negotiations with the nation’s capital picked up recently after Congress handed over control of the land of RFK Stadium for the next 99 years, allowing the city to decide how they would use the site.
A deal still needs to be approved by the DC City Council. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) recently told The Washington Post that he opposes any public dollars going toward paying for a stadium.
While Maryland pushed to keep the Commanders, and Virginia was once in contention, the team always yearned for a return to Washington. Fans have, as well. The commute to the District is far better for fans than to the Maryland suburbs.
The Washington franchise captured its three Super Bowl titles in four appearances during its glory days from 1982 to 1991 while calling RFK Stadium home. The team’s popularity is why Cooke desired a bigger stadium.
The franchise has endured decades of embarrassment through negative headlines, oftentimes spearheaded by its former owner, Snyder. A series of sexual harassment claims surrounding Snyder and the team’s brass, along with a dispute with then-minority owners and finances, ultimately led to Snyder putting the franchise up for sale at the NFL’s urging.
Meanwhile, the team changed its moniker and dropped its controversial logo amid the negative publicity. The name “Commanders” was unveiled in February 2022 to a mixed reaction from fans.
Drawbacks from DC, Maryland, and Virginia to a new deal occurred due to the negativity surrounding Snyder.
Nonetheless, some of the prestige and excitement have been restored under Harris. In less than 24 months since buying the team, Harris has brought in General Manager Adam Peters and Head Coach Dan Quinn. Then they drafted potential franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The Commanders won 12 games, the most since 1991 when the team last won a Super Bowl. They also won their first playoff game since 2006, reaching the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991.
Now, the new regime has a stadium deal in place to return to its home city.
