The Washington Commanders have revealed their plans to return to D.C. with a massive $3.7 billion stadium deal.
Shortly after the confirmation of Washington’s deal, U.S. President Donald Trump made his own announcement prior to hosting the Philadelphia Eagles at the White House. Several Eagles players failed to attend Monday’s event, including star quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts.
The new NFL ownership group, led by Josh Harris who purchased the franchise for a record-setting $6.05 billion in July 2023, will pour $2.7 billion into the project, while the city government will contribute $500 million. The total cost will amount to $3.7 billion as the Commanders make their comeback to their old RFK Stadium campus, leaving behind Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, their home since 1997.
The new stadium is slated to open its doors in 2030, and the team shared this thrilling news on Monday morning. Trump then made his own announcement hours later, vowing to make Washington D.C. “great again” as he used the announcement to convey his own political message.
“I am thrilled to announce that the Washington Football Team will be returning to our Nation’s Capital!” Trump posted on Truth Social. His failure to reference the team’s ‘Commanders’ moniker is telling, as Trump is a critic of the name.
Washington ditched its ‘Redskins’ moniker in 2020 after protests, as many people regard the term as offensive to Native Americans. The team was known as the ‘Washington Football Team’ until 2022, when the ‘Commanders’ name was adopted.
Trump added: “The new Stadium Deal is a HUGE WIN for Washington, D.C., and for the Team’s incredible fan base. It will also boost Economic Development, create more Jobs and, hopefully, lead to less Crime in the area. We are making Washington, D.C., GREAT AGAIN, one step at a time!”
For the Commanders, this is an exhilarating period after surpassing expectations last season and reaching the NFC Championship game. The team hadn’t won a postseason game since 2005 before last season, but the rise of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels suggests a promising future for the organization.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Commanders back home to the Sports Capital,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said after the stadium announcement was made. “We said that we could do it all – Commanders, housing, park space, recreation, retail, entertainment and more – and, together, that’s what we are delivering.
“When we got control of 180 acres of land on the banks of the Anacostia, we knew right away that partnering with the Commanders would be the fastest and surest route to bringing the RFK campus to life. As we focus on the growth of our economy, we’re not only bringing our team home, but we’re also bringing new jobs and new revenue to our city and to Ward 7.”
The Commanders are staking their future in the region with a sprawling new campus complex, but it’s not just about football – the site will include housing, green spaces, and a plethora of amenities including hotels, eateries, shopping outlets, and neighborhood must-haves. “Today is a defining moment for the DMV and the Washington Commanders,” stated Harris.
“RFK Stadium holds a legendary place in our history – it’s where the team dominated the NFL, capturing three Super Bowls and creating unforgettable memories for fans. Now, we have the opportunity to honor that legacy by building a new world-class stadium – one that is also a once-in-a-generation catalyst for uplifting and transforming our region.
“Working hand-in-hand with District and community leaders, we’re focused on delivering an incredible home for our players and fans, creating a landmark venue that reflects the pride of our nation’s capital, and sparking a new era of economic opportunity across the DMV. RFK was once a place our fans loved, and opponents feared – we’re determined to make it that way again.”
Meanwhile, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell welcomed the initiative, linking the project to his youthful experiences in the region. “Some of my earliest football memories growing up in the District were going to games at RFK Stadium,” he reminisced. “It’s time to bring the Commanders home.
“We are grateful for Josh Harris’ vision and determination and the leadership of Mayor Bowser in moving this transformational project forward. This world-class stadium will not only be an exciting site for NFL games and events in an iconic location but it will also be a community asset and an economic driver.”
