washington commanders Says they are supporting the District of Columbia’s efforts to regain control of the RFK Stadium site that used to be home to the NFL team.
A spokeswoman for the team said Thursday that officials are communicating with stakeholders at the federal and local levels about the RFK site.
,[We are] Sharing our vision for a potential site … that would create jobs and economic growth for the area and be compatible with the surrounding community and elected leaders of the district,” the spokesperson said in a statement sent to The Associated Press.
The land, approximately 2 miles east of the US Capitol, is owned by the federal government, and Congressional control is one of the biggest obstacles to the potential construction of a new state-of-the-art football stadium on the site, whose future has been the subject of much debate.
Several DC City Council members voiced their opposition to building a stadium there last year, which was supported by Mayor Muriel Bowser. A message sent to Bowser’s office seeking comment was not immediately returned.
It’s unclear how the new ownership might position itself once Josh Harris’ group buys the team from Dan Snyder. there is one agreed in principle The sale of the storied franchise for a record $6.05 billion, along with other moves, is pending league approval.
Washington played home games at RFK Stadium from 1961–96 before moving to FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Rushed to completion under previous owner Jack Kent Cooke, that stadium hasn’t aged well over the decades.
Finding a new stadium site is a top long-term priority for the new owners once they assume control of the organization, among options in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Last year, Virginia’s General Assembly abandoned a stadium bill and Maryland took steps to provide bonds for potential stadium construction.
A big question surrounding the RFK Stadium site is whether the DC government will approve the construction of a mixed-use entertainment complex on land west of the Anacostia River.
