The pathway for the NFL’s Washington Commanders to potentially resettle in the nation’s capital has cleared following a tumultuous legislative saga that came to an early conclusion on Saturday. In a significant move, the U.S. Senate approved a resolution that shifts control of the land encompassing the historic RFK Stadium from federal ownership to the District of Columbia. This decision, encapsulated in the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, passed via voice vote at approximately 1:15 a.m. after more than a year of efforts spearheaded by various stakeholders including Rep. James Comer, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Commanders owner Josh Harris, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Expressing gratitude, Harris noted, “We are extremely grateful that our elected officials have come together on a bipartisan basis to give Washington, D.C., the opportunity to decide on the future of the RFK Stadium site. This bill will create an equal playing field so that all potential future locations for the home of the Washington Commanders can be fairly considered and give our franchise the opportunity to provide the best experience for all of our fans.”
This provision regarding the RFK Stadium land was initially included in Congress’ short-term spending bill earlier in the week, but was sidelined due to objections from President-elect Donald Trump and misinformation propagated by Elon Musk on his social media platform, X. Subsequent reduced versions of the House bill, including the one that successfully passed late Friday to avert a government shutdown, did not incorporate this land transfer.
By granting the local government control of the site for the next 99 years, the legislation opens doors for the dilapidated remains of the old stadium to be demolished and transformed into a site for various developments, including the possibility of a new football stadium and entertainment amenities reminiscent of the team’s previous home.
The NFL commended the bipartisan efforts of Congressional leaders, stating, “Washington, D.C., will now have a long-overdue seat at the table when it comes to the location of a new Commanders stadium.” Mayor Bowser hailed the development, calling it “a win for D.C., for our region and for America,” adding that the narrative of D.C. is that of a substantial comeback.
Final approval from President Joe Biden, which may arrive as soon as Saturday, is all that remains for the bill to be enacted into law. Comer characterized Senate passage as “a historic moment for our nation’s capital,” emphasizing that failure to act would have allowed the deteriorating land to continue costing taxpayers significant maintenance fees. He highlighted revitalizing the RFK Memorial Stadium site as a critical economic priority for the city, with the bipartisan success reflecting a commitment to ensuring a thriving capital for future generations.
However, a return to Washington for the Commanders is not guaranteed, as the franchise is still evaluating potential stadium sites in the district, Maryland, and Virginia. Their current lease at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, extends through 2027, with Harris suggesting that a 2030 timeline for a new stadium is a “reasonable target.” The Commanders played at RFK Stadium, located about two miles east of the Capitol, from 1961 until their relocation to Maryland in 1997 during a celebrated period marked by three Super Bowl victories.
In a reflection of the hop and cooperation evident in this legislative journey, co-owner Mark Ein shared his thoughts, stating on social media, “Still many steps to go and even bigger than a possible stadium last night’s bill was an extraordinary moment of bipartisan and regional cooperation to do something big and important and get 174 acres of unused, blighted, and critical land to D.C. so they can bring it back to life.”
As part of the initial agreement that facilitated the inclusion of the land provision in the bill, a commitment was made between the team and Maryland to promptly demolish the current stadium and redeveloped the site for a project that would yield equivalent economic benefits.
Following the Senate’s approval of the land transfer, Maryland Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen expressed their continued support for maintaining the team’s partnership with the state moving forward. They acknowledged the necessity for regional collaboration and affirmed their belief that concerns regarding the proposal had been adequately addressed.
Having established its presence in Maryland since 1997 while practicing in Virginia, a move back to the District would serve as another feather in Bowser’s cap, who recently celebrated a substantial renovation project worth $800 million for a downtown arena, ensuring the sustained presence of both the NBA’s Wizards and the NHL’s Capitals. During a related press event, she also addressed misinformation spread by Musk through X, highlighting the bill expressly forbids using federal funds for any stadium-related infrastructure.