Washington Commanders Stadium News: RFK bill passes Senate committee, keeping hope alive for team’s return to D.C.

Next step in the process

Washington D.C. and the Washington Commanders got a win in the Senate today. The city has been trying to get the federal government to transfer administrative jurisdiction of the site that used to be the home for the Washington Redskins, RFK Stadium. This bill has already passed in the House of Representatives, but was still going through committees and waiting for the chance to get a vote from the full Senate.

Montana Sen. Steve Daines had been a road block in moving on to the next step, wanting the team to honor the franchise’s old logo, and the family that provided it to the team. Josh Harris has been working with the family, inviting them to visit the team, and unveiling a tribute in the stadium, among other things. Daines said today that he was “satisfied” with the team’s effort, and he helped pass the bill in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee with a 17-2 vote today. It must now be voted on by the full Senate, whether attached to a spending bill, or as a stand alone bill which is less likely. This must be passed before December 28th, and if it stalls, the process starts over with a new Congress next year.

• H.R. 4984, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to transfer administrative jurisdiction over the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus to the District of Columbia so that the District may use the Campus for purposes including residential and commercial development, and for other purposes.

Transfer of the land to D.C. doesn’t guarantee a stadium will be built on the old RFK site, but it keeps it on the table as an option. The team would have to work with the city’s government, work with the restrictions on the property, along with the requirements from the city, and work with them on other funding issues that will be included with this major project.

The Washington Commanders are looking to have a new stadium built within the next 7 years, but they are still looking for the next location. They have to play their home games at Northwest Stadium through early September, 2027, but they are expected to continue playing there until their new home is ready. They own the stadium, and the land surrounding it, which is also one of the other options if Washington D.C. falls through.

The team continues to mention the three jurisdictions they are in discussions with, but not many people are seriously considering the state of Virginia as a legitimate option at this point. That could chance, but it sure looks like it’s D.C. or bust for Josh Harris, Mitch Rales, and the rest of the new ownership group.

The Washington Post provided more information on the Commanders’ efforts to get the bill passed before the end of the year. They also provided some insight into Maryland officials opposition to it, and their attempts to get concessions if they do lose the team to Washington, D.C.

In September, majority owner Josh Harris declined to commit to another legislative attempt if this one failed. Representatives from the Commanders and the NFL have lobbied Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) to include the RFK bill in a piece of must-pass legislation at the end of the year, according to three people involved in the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

Cardin, Van Hollen and Moore each said they support redevelopment at the RFK site for the city — but they drew the line at a free campus to house the team. However, neither Cardin nor Van Hollen vowed to block the bill.

Maryland officials have tried to negotiate for promises of some sort of consolation prize from the team if it does relocate to D.C., according to three people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

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The Washington Commanders’ statement:

Montana Senator Steve Daines’ statement:

Governor Wes Moore and other Maryland politicians explained their opposition to the transfer to D.C.:

In a statement to The Washington Post, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) directly came out against the legislation for the first time, calling the proposal “not in the best interest of the American taxpayer.”

“We’re not afraid of competition, we just want a level playing field,” Moore said in his statement.

“When the Commanders moved to Prince George’s County in the ’90s, they bought the land where they built the stadium from the government at around fair market value. I don’t see why they shouldn’t play by the same rules now. The RFK bill as currently written could let the Commanders essentially develop this land for free,” he said.

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) said in an interview that “Congress should not weigh in as to creating a favorite” spot for the next Commanders stadium. And Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) said the state’s priority is to “prevent actions that unfairly tilt the scales in favor of one location over another at the expense of federal taxpayers.”

Washington D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser’s statement: