Developers and Washington officials reach a consensus on spearheading a $4 billion venture at RFK Stadium's location.
Washington Commanders to Build $4 Billion Stadium in D.C.'s Old RFK Site
In a shocking development, the Washington Commanders are returning to Washington D.C., where they'll build a whopping $4 billion stadium at the old RFK Stadium site. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the deal on Monday, calling for swift approval from the D.C. City Council [Enrichment Data: Timeline for approval].
The Commanders will contribute a whopping $2.7 billion, while the city of D.C. will invest approximately $1.1 billion over the next eight years towards the stadium, housing, green space, and a sportsplex on a 170-acre plot of land along the Anacostia River [Enrichment Data: Details of the Agreement]. The stadium itself will be constructed on just 16 of those acres.
A feel-good video posted on social media by the team and Mayor Bowser, narrated by Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Theismann, celebrated the exciting news. Theismann expressed his fond memories of playing at RFK Stadium, emphasizing the benefits of a new stadium for the city [Enrichment Data: Mayor's announcement video].
"Let's bring the Commanders home," Theismann asserted. "The time is now. Let's bring Washington back to D.C."
The announcement was met with cheers during an event at the National Press Club, where NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was present. The event's backdrop declared "Welcome home," and Mambo Sauce's "Welcome to DC" played from the speakers as the officials entered the venue [Enrichment Data: Unveiling the plans].
Commanders ownership has been exploring options in Washington, Maryland, and Virginia since acquiring the team from Dan Snyder in 2022. This significant move came soon after Congress passed a bill transferring the RFK Stadium land to D.C., signed by former President Joe Biden in early January [Enrichment Data: Legislative development].
The Commanders have called Maryland home since relocating there in 1997. Despite their lease at Northwest Stadium in Landover running through 2027, team owner Josh Harris has aimed for a 2030 stadium opening [Enrichment Data: Harris' target for new stadium].
The team played at RFK Stadium from 1961 to 1996 before moving to Maryland. Harris and several co-owners, including Mitch Rales and Mark Ein, were Washington football fans during the team's glory days of three Super Bowl championships from 1982 to 1991 [Enrichment Data: Personal connections to the team's past].
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- Lobbying efforts may ensue for an accelerated approval process of the DC City Council regarding the Washington Commanders' $4 billion stadium project at the old RFK site.
- The NFL Stadium in D.C., projected to be worth $4 billion, will be situated on only 16 acres of the 170-acre plot along the Anacostia River, with sports facilities, housing, and green space also planned.
- The Washington Commanders' ownership, which includes Mitch Rales and Mark Ein – both ardent fans of the team during its glory days – have chosen to transfer the team's football operations back to Washington, D.C., despite still having a lease in Maryland through 2027.
- Following roughly eight years of collaboration between the Commanders and the city of D.C., the NFL team will contribute approximately $2.7 billion towards the project, while the city invests about $1.1 billion.
- The American-football team, once a staple at RFK Stadium from 1961 to 1996, may once again see themselves playing in the nation's capital if the planned $4 billion stadium construction proceeds as planned, perhaps even as early as 2030.
