Commanders Tack on $35M to FedEx Field Renovation Budget
The Washington Commanders’ new ownership hasn’t decided on where the team’s next stadium will be located, but in the meantime, the group is sprucing up the current home in Landover, Md.
The Commanders are injecting an additional $35 million into their $40 million plan announced last fall to upgrade and improve 26-year-old FedEx Field, bringing the total renovation budget to roughly $75 million.
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Commanders’ owner Josh Harris, who bought the franchise for a record $6 billion last year, has made a revitalized fan experience an integral part of his overhaul of the team marred in controversy and investigation under previous owner Dan Snyder. Harris isn’t waiting for his new stadium to be built to win back fans.
The upgrades include a new VIP fan tunnel, a new premium suite space (1932 Club) with new furniture and upgraded food and beverage options as well as new sound systems. There’s also a structural makeover planned ahead of this upcoming season, which includes installing new elevators, escalators and mechanical systems, along with other infrastructure and parking-related facelifts.
While revamping and new installations take place at FedEx Field, the team’s search for a public-private partnership to build a new NFL stadium continues. Harris, who also owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, is keeping his options open, looking throughout the Virginia, Maryland and D.C. areas. (Returning the team to its former home of RFK Stadium has also been floated.) Fellow billionaire Ted Leonsis’ plan to move his Washington Capitals and Wizards from downtown D.C. to a new arena in Northern Virgina could have an impact the Commanders’ final landing spot.
The Commanders, last in the NFC East last season, have made moves in the football operations department. Harris’ first head coach hire as an NFL owner is former Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn, and he has also brought on former San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters to be general manager.
Two-time NBA Executive of the Year and former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers has also been hired to help run the franchise. The new brain trust will have the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft in April.
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