Posted on Dec 21
Washington Commanders' stadium plans face setback as provision for land control is excluded
u/alex •
Washington Commanders plans for a new stadium in the District of Columbia face uncertainty as a provision granting control of the land was excluded from a spending bill passed by Congress.
Why it matters: The removal of the provision hampers the team's hopes of returning to the site of RFK Stadium and increases the likelihood of building at their current location in Landover, Maryland.
What's new: The provision, which would have allowed the city to control over 170 acres at the RFK Stadium site, was initially included but ultimately removed from the final version of the bill.
Yes, but: While the provision didn't guarantee a new stadium, it significantly enhanced the Commanders' chances of securing a prime location within the District of Columbia.
- The current lease at the RFK Stadium site has only 14 years remaining, limiting the team's ability to secure sufficient funding for a new stadium.
What to watch: The Commanders alternative option is to build at their current stadium site in Landover, Maryland, where they already own the land and have received a commitment of $400 million for revitalization.
What's next: Although the provision's removal is a setback, there remains the possibility of revisiting the issue in the next session of Congress.
- Commanders owner Josh Harris expressed a desire to have a new stadium by 2030, indicating a potential timeline for future negotiations.
The bottom line: The exclusion of the provision governing land control for a new stadium in the District of Columbia adds uncertainty to the Commanders' plans and increases the likelihood of them remaining in Landover, Maryland.