The NFL’s Washington Commanders are moving closer to playing home games in the nation’s capital, with the RFK site considered a nostalgic favorite among fans. However, the team has played in nearby Landover, Maryland since 1997.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore wants to keep the team in Maryland, but Congress has agreed to include the RFK site in ongoing legislation. As part of this agreement, the District will give its F-16 fighter jets to Maryland and fund the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
The organization and managing partner Josh Harris have agreed to participate in a redevelopment plan for the current stadium property if the franchise leaves Maryland. Harris has stated a target of 2030 for a new venue, considering FedEx Field one of the NFL’s worst stadiums.
Moore emphasized that Maryland remains invested in keeping the franchise, with Landover seen as the best path to a new stadium. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser hopes the Commanders will move across the Anacostia River, taking control of the RFK campus.
A bipartisan bill passed through Congress earlier this year will grant the District control of the site, and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has allowed for a vote on the Senate floor. However, funding for a stadium project remains uncertain, with the D.C. city council having signed off on a $515 million deal to keep other sports teams in the city.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6002619/2024/12/17/commanders-rfk-site-control-update-dc