President Joe Biden signed the RFK Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act into law on Monday, marking a key step toward the potential return of the Washington Commanders to the nation’s capital. This follows the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval of the bill last month, which now allows Washington D.C. to negotiate with developers.
The legislation facilitates the transfer of the RFK Stadium land from federal to city control within 180 days, giving D.C. access to 170 acres of space. This opens the door for the demolition of RFK Stadium and the possibility of new developments, including a potential new stadium under a 99-year lease agreement.
The next steps involve the city and the Commanders working together on a deal and obtaining approval from the D.C. Council. However, a significant challenge could be securing additional public funding for a new stadium, especially considering that D.C. is already investing around $515 million in Capital Arena, home of the Washington Wizards and Capitals, over the next three years.
Another obstacle may come from Maryland, where the Commanders currently play. Maryland Governor Wes Moore has expressed interest in building a new stadium next to the existing one in Landover. Although the Commanders’ lease at their current stadium runs until 2027, it could be extended until a new stadium is ready, as the team owns the land and venue.
The bill does not include federal funding for the project. Prior to its passage, misinformation circulated on social media, suggesting Congress was allocating $3 billion for a new stadium, a claim D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser promptly debunked.
The NFL hailed the bill as a significant step forward, emphasizing that D.C. will now have an essential role in the discussions about a new Commanders stadium. Mayor Bowser described the move as a “win for D.C., for our region, and for America.”
The Commanders played at RFK Stadium from 1961 to 1996 before relocating to Maryland.
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