Federal spending bill features RFK Stadium site clause, benefiting the Commanders and NFL

The Washington Commanders are making progress toward potentially returning to their former home in Washington, D.C. A crucial provision has been included in Congress’ short-term spending package that would facilitate the transfer of the land where the former RFK Stadium is located from the federal government to the District of Columbia. Lawmakers are swiftly working to pass this bill.

This marks a significant win for the Commanders and the entire NFL, especially after the franchise’s majority owner Josh Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell actively engaged with lawmakers to advocate for the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act earlier this month. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser hailed the inclusion as a “giant step forward” in unlocking the potential of the site. “As a city, we have worked for years to get control of the RFK campus,” Bowser remarked. “We’re celebrating this moment, and we’re looking to the future of a field of possibilities on the banks of the Anacostia.”

Among those possibilities is the construction of a new football stadium. The Commanders are evaluating options in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia for a stadium location in the near future. They have a lease at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, set to expire in 2027, with Harris identifying 2030 as a “reasonable target” for a new venue. The team called RFK Stadium, located just 2 miles east of the Capitol, home from 1961 until 1996 before relocating to Maryland. Harris and some co-owners, including Mitch Rales and Mark Ein, have nostalgic ties to the franchise during its celebrated Super Bowl victories between 1982 and 1991.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer commended this legislative move, emphasizing that it demonstrates Congress fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. He expressed, “This landmark legislation will unlock the district’s full potential, generate meaningful new jobs, and add millions in additional city revenue for the nation’s capital.” Comer further noted that without this Congressional effort, the property would likely remain underutilized, perpetuating financial burdens on taxpayers. “Now is the time to get the federal government out of the way and empower local officials to clean up the RFK site, invest and create new economic opportunities,” he stated.

The provision was incorporated into the spending bill following the team’s commitment to promptly demolish the stadium in Landover and redevelop the site in a manner that would offer similar economic benefits. Insights from a knowledgeable source indicated that Maryland Governor Wes Moore managed to secure full federal funding to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which collapsed earlier this year, and there are plans for a fighter squadron’s relocation from D.C. to Maryland.

Governor Moore reaffirmed the state’s stance, asserting that Maryland leaders “are not afraid of competition,” and emphasized their ongoing collaborative relationship with the team. “We are confident that Landover is still the best, and fastest, path to a new stadium for the Washington Commanders,” he commented. Moore maintains that, regardless of the outcomes regarding the RFK legislation, his administration is dedicated to ensuring that Landover garners the necessary investments it deserves. While the future stadium location remains unresolved, there is mutual understanding with the Commanders about the significance of maintaining a relationship with the Prince George’s community should a move occur.

The Commanders have been a fixture in Maryland since 1997, and their training operations are based in Ashburn, Virginia, conveniently situated near Dulles International Airport.