The Washington Commanders will soon have a new command center.
After a long process that was far from easy, the D.C. Council gave its stamp of approval on Wednesday, greenlighting the $3.8 billion stadium project in an 11-2 vote. That final approval means the Commanders are set to move back to the district following nearly three decades in Landover, Maryland.
The agreement will see the Commanders build a new 65,000-seat venue on the RFK Stadium site, which served as the home for the franchise from 1961 to 1996.
It was far from easy for both sides to reach this point, but team owner Josh Harris has a reason to celebrate, releasing the following statement:
‘Today is a historic day for D.C., the Commanders organization and our fans,’ Harris said. ‘With the council’s approval, we can now move forward on the transformative RFK project that will bring lasting economic growth for our city. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication between Mayor Bowser, Chairman Mendelson, the council and the countless community, buinsess and labor leaders whose voices and input helps shape the process every step of the way. We are deeply grateful for the warm return to the district and the center of the DMV, and look forward to officially bringing the team back to its spiritual home in 2030.’
The stadium is set to open in 2030, just in time to host big events like the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and potentially the Super Bowl.
RFK Now!, a grassroots campaign organized by community members, also celebrated the deal.
“This once-in-a-generation deal will benefit District residents for decades to come,” Malcom Fox, Executive Director of Opportunity DC and Organizer of RFK Now! said in a statement. “The $3.7B investment in Ward 7 will help create the housing, jobs and small businesses necessary to ensure more District residents can afford to live here and have the opportunities to thrive.”
It wasn’t always a given that the sides would reach this point, however.
In July, the mayor expressed some concern that the deal initially announced in April would fall apart, with only four council members expressing their support at the time.
‘I’m concerned right now that everybody buckle down and get to work,’ Bowser said. ‘I’m not concerned about our deal. Our deal is solid. It pays off for D.C. And at the end of the day, I think everybody wants the same thing.’
Delays in the voting process also saw the expiration of the exclusive negotiating window for the team, opening up the possibility of the team exploring other areas.
Council president Mendelson maintained that he wouldn’t hold a vote on the project during the council’s summer recess, refusing to commit to a vote in early September.
The Commanders issued a statement at the time, highlighting the concerns with delaying a vote, saying it would jeopardize the stadium’s ability to host those marquee events. Despite those obstacles, the project is now a reality and provides a light at the end of the tunnel at their current home.
Northwest Stadium, formerly known as FedEx Field, has been the subject of criticism in recent years as a stadium that was in desperate need of some improvements. Harris, just a few seasons into his ownership of the team, has continued to deliver on his promises to fans.
As Harris continues to stack wins off the field, he’ll hope that the team’s new home continues to see plenty of them on it.