The mayor of Washington D.C., Muriel Bowser, maintains her confidence in the Commanders’ return to the city, although she has avoided referring to former President Donald Trump’s threats to obstruct the stadium construction deal if the team does not regain its old name. The agreement for the Commanders to return to the city is at a crucial point, still pending approval by the D.C. Council. The Council has scheduled hearings on the matter on July 29 and 30, but a vote has not yet been set. A source suggests that the vote could take place during a recess in the coming weeks. Former President Trump generated uncertainty by expressing on social media his desire for the Commanders to revert to their old name as a condition for building a new stadium on federal land in the district. Congress has leased the land to the city for the next 99 years.
The Commanders and city officials announced the $3.7 billion deal on April 28. The team will contribute $2.7 billion. The city plans to build retail stores, housing, and a sports complex on the 174-acre property. The organization moved from the RFK site, its home from 1961 to 1996, to Landover, Maryland, at the start of the 1997 season. The D.C. Council, composed of 13 members, still needs to approve the agreement. According to a source close to the team, the Commanders intend to inaugurate the new stadium in 2030, in part because they want to host the Women’s World Cup. They fear that if the agreement is not approved until the fall, this could affect their schedule. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the former president’s comments were not a joke.I think the site is excellent for a stadium. I have met with the president on several occasions and he is a big fan of Jayden Daniels.
Muriel Bowser
Leavitt described Trump as a “non-traditional president” and stated that sports fans support him on this matter. Bowser, in the past, indicated that the team’s old name could be an obstacle to building the stadium in the district. A source revealed that several council members would not have approved an agreement in the past under the previous name. Commanders owner Josh Harris stated after the season that they will not change the name and will remain as Commanders. Multiple team sources have confirmed that there have been no changes in this regard. Bowser reiterated that they have overcome that issue.The president is serious. Sport is one of his passions and he wants to see the team’s name changed.
Karoline Leavitt
It is not clear what measures Trump could take to force a change. However, Bowser is optimistic about the possibility of completing the deal without the intervention of the former president or Congress.We are on the 1-yard line and it’s time to cross the line. I can’t imagine having to start over. There’s no one waiting with 2.7 billion dollars. This stadium is a catalyst and will attract other investments. Any impediment should be discouraged. When you’re on the 1-yard line, you want to score, right? That’s all we want. No fumbles, no interceptions, just cross the line.
Muriel Bowser
I don’t think it’s an eventuality we have to plan for. What we must do as a city is to do our part. We have reached a great agreement, we have a great plan, we have carried out community outreach activities, now it’s time for the council to approve it.
Muriel Bowser
