Commanders Return Home: RFK Stadium Project Approved
The Commanders’ return to Washington is official. The Council of the District of Columbia voted in favor of the measure, confirming what was expected since the initial vote over a month ago. On Wednesday, the Council approved the RFK Stadium Project with a vote of 11-2, allowing the team to return to the place that was their home for more than three decades. Despite being considered a formality, the vote included last-minute requests that, according to Commanders president Mark Clouse, could have compromised the deal. The Council had already approved the measure on August 1, which allowed the Commanders to begin planning the construction of the stadium. However, Clouse sent a letter to the Council President, Phil Mendelson, expressing his concern about new last-minute demands, including an amendment that imposed a penalty of $10 million annually if the deadline for the construction of housing was not met, which threatened the project. Finally, the Council rejected that amendment, along with twelve others.Clouse wrote that, less than 24 hours before the final vote, the team received a list of new, last-minute demands, impractical and unfeasible, that they could not agree to, as they jeopardized the agreement. In addition, Clouse mentioned that the unions involved in the project felt uncomfortable with the proposed changes. The Commanders will invest $2.7 billion to build the 65,000-seat stadium, also covering cost overruns. The district will contribute $1 billion. The team aims to have the stadium ready by 2030, largely to be able to host major events such as the Women’s World Cup in 2031. Washington announced an agreement with the city to build a stadium on the site where RFK Stadium, their home from 1961 to 1996, is located. The 174-acre property will be turned into a mixed-use facility with housing developments, a sports complex, and retail stores. The stadium will be covered, and although a retractable roof has not been ruled out, the cost, along with the potential benefits, will likely make it prohibitive. The old stadium hasn’t been completely demolished yet. The site became a sentimental place for Washington fans due to the team’s success during most of their time there. Owner Josh Harris and some of his minority owners grew up in the area and have talked about going to games at RFK. The organization played in five Super Bowls from 1972 to ’92, winning three of them. During this period, Washington only finished with a losing record on two occasions. RFK became a distinctive home field advantage, with its intimate setting and some movable seats that fans could bounce. But former owner Jack Kent Cooke couldn’t build a new stadium in the district and paid for the current one to be built in Maryland. Since the suburban stadium opened in 1997, the organization has only had eight winning seasons and reached the postseason seven times. Washington had a 12-5 record last season and reached the NFC Championship, where they lost to Philadelphia.D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also warned the Council about imposing “penalties or additional requirements that could undermine the District’s ability to close the deal.”
Muriel Bowser
