{"id":2424495,"date":"2025-04-16T23:45:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T03:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dc-close-to-securing-stadium-deal-with-commanders-at-rfk-site-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-04-16T23:46:31","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T03:46:31","slug":"dc-close-to-securing-stadium-deal-with-commanders-at-rfk-site-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dc-close-to-securing-stadium-deal-with-commanders-at-rfk-site-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"DC close to securing stadium deal with Commanders at RFK site &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdc-close-to-securing-stadium-deal-with-commanders-at-rfk-site-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2424495&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Washington D.C. is close to finalizing a deal with the NFL&#8217;s Washington Commanders to build a new stadium at the RFK Stadium site, where the team previously played from 1961 until 1996. Mayor Muriel Bowser has been in discussions with the Commanders to facilitate their return to the city, and while the agreement has yet to be completed, a preliminary framework is reportedly in place. <\/p>\n<p>The push for this progress gained momentum after Congress granted D.C. control of the RFK site last December. Currently,the Commanders play in Landover,Maryland,and their lease there expires in 2027. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-andrew-cuomo-offered-to-drop-plans-to-run-for-fourth-term-if-legislature-drops-impeachment\/\" title=\"Report: Andrew Cuomo Offered To Drop Plans To Run For Fourth Term If Legislature Drops Impeachment\">proposed deal<\/a> involves a significant investment, with the Commanders contributing $2.5 billion and D.C. contributing $850 million, although these figures may change. <\/p>\n<p>Mayor Bowser hopes to transform the RFK area into a mixed-use hub with housing and retail. Despite support from the team owner,Josh Harris,and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,there is opposition regarding the use of public funds for the stadium,notably from D.C.Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, who has criticized Bowser for her unilateral approach without involving the Council in the discussions.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">DC close to securing stadium deal with Commanders at RFK site<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1868798\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Washington, D.C., and the NFL&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-commanders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Washington Commanders<\/a> are nearing an agreement to build the team&rsquo;s new stadium at the RFK Stadium site, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/dc-md-va\/2025\/04\/16\/dc-rfk-stadium-deal-close\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">according<\/a> to multiple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcwashington.com\/news\/sports\/washington-commanders\/dc-commanders-deal-stadium-rfk-site\/3893651\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Mayor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/muriel-bowser\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Muriel Bowser<\/a> and the Commanders have been engaged in conversations for the team to return to D.C. for months,&nbsp;and while a deal has not yet been finalized, a framework is reportedly in place.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3382895\/george-clooney-praises-maryland-governor-wes-moore-rising-democratic-star\/\">George Clooney praises Gov. Wes Moore as rising Democratic star<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3382873\/kennedy-center-permanently-illuminate-exterior-red-white-blue\/\">Kennedy Center to permanently illuminate exterior in red, white, and blue<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3382709\/esoteric-muslim-vatican-world-next-country-sovereign-state-bektashi-order\/\">An esoteric Muslim Vatican could become the world&#8217;s next country<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Calls for the Commanders to return to D.C. became more of a reality once Congress voted in December to give D.C. control of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial stadium, where the Commanders played from 1961 until 1996. The team currently plays home games in Landover, Maryland, but their lease there at Northwest Stadium expires in 2027.<\/p>\n<p>In February, the D.C. City Council gave approval for D.C. to accept the transfer of the RFK site into its control.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Bowser has been very open about her desire to see the Commanders return to D.C. She envisions the RFK site being transformed into a hub and leading to the development of housing and retail space.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The owner of the team, Josh Harris, has also expressed his interest in the Commanders returning to D.C.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s the location that, when we do surveys, is the most acceptable,&rdquo; Harris said. &ldquo;That <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/despite-insistence-by-democrat-politicians-and-medical-elites-empirical-evidence-does-not-conclusively-show-that-masks-reduce-the-spread-of-covid\/\" title=\"Despite Insistence by Democrat Politicians and Medical Elites, Empirical Evidence DOES NOT Conclusively Show that Masks Reduce the Spread of COVID\">doesn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t mean that there&rsquo;s not a lot of support in Maryland, a lot of support in Virginia. There is, but obviously, D.C. is kind of aligned with the history and happens to be the easiest place to get to for the most number of fans.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>And NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the move could be a&nbsp;&ldquo;a huge economic driver&rdquo; and &ldquo;would be great for our nation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>But in the meantime, D.C. is navigating its 2026 fiscal budget, which Bowser said is completed. Congress has created uncertainty for the rest of the city&rsquo;s fiscal 2025 budget with its <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">recently-passed continuing resolution creating<\/a> a $1 billion shortfall.<\/p>\n<p>In the proposed deal to move the Commanders back to D.C., the franchise would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6285519\/2025\/04\/16\/commanders-stadium-dc-location-agreement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">reportedly<\/a> put up $2.5 billion and D.C. would chip in $850 million, though those numbers could change. A &ldquo;capital budget,&rdquo; which uses public funds, would provide the funds for the city, which is different from its operating budget.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3381650\/bowser-service-cuts-dc-congress-2025-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">BOWSER OUTLINES &lsquo;SIGNIFICANT&rsquo; SERVICE CUTS COMING TO DC IF CONGRESS DOESN&rsquo;T RESTORE 2025 BUDGET<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>However, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mundelson said he is not in favor of public funds going to help pay for the stadium. He chastised Bowser for not keeping the Council &ldquo;informed&rdquo; or &ldquo;consulted&rdquo; with her talks with the Commanders.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I find it disturbing that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/calls-for-cuomos-removal-continue-amid-harassment-claims\/\" title=\"Calls for Cuomo\u2019s removal continue amid harassment claims\">mayor believes<\/a> a unilateral approach is the best course, especially when ultimately the council has to give approval,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1868798\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1868798\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>D.C. nearing stadium deal with Commanders at RFK site<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2542,"featured_media":2424496,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AP17348733600737-1.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[7611,50501,53609,46002,32076],"class_list":["post-2424495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-commanders","tag-dc-2","tag-rfk-site","tag-stadium-deal","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AP17348733600737-1.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2542"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2424495"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2424499,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424495\/revisions\/2424499"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2424496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2424495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2424495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2424495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}