Washington D.C. councilman makes his case for new Commanders’ new stadium at RFK
There’s a lot of positive momentum surrounding the Washington Commanders right now. Friday’s announcement that owner Daniel Snyder had finalized a deal to sell the franchise to Josh Harris and his group has Washington fans buzzing about what’s ahead.
One of those Washington fans is D.C. Councilman Kenyan McDuffie. In an Op-Ed for The Washington Post, McDuffie made his case about why the Commanders should build a new stadium in Washington, D.C.
McDuffie explained why he was proud of D.C.’s overall progress in recent years but thinks there’s more the city could do to “address persistent economic disparities.”
We’ll let McDuffie take it from here in his own words.
The RFK Stadium site in eastern D.C. offers one such opportunity. Redevelopment of the 190-acre riverfront campus has long been explored, but it has been stymied by a variety of factors, including a complicated lease agreement and differing opinions on how the site should be used.
RFK, once home to Washington’s proud football franchise, can serve as a bridge across the Anacostia River. A new owner and recent name change open a unique opportunity for D.C. to reclaim its National Football League legacy.
It is time to bring the team home.
D.C. is where the Commanders belong, and a new stadium on the RFK grounds can be an anchor for incredible economic opportunities for our residents, workers and small businesses. A redeveloped Commanders stadium at RFK would boost our hospitality industry and enhance engagement with our young people through sports.
Eloquently stated by Councilman McDuffie.
The problem is the federal government owns the RFK site. What D.C. would like to do — and the Commanders have reportedly lobbied for — is for the federal government to give control of the RFK site to Washington, D.C., which would allow the Commanders to build a new stadium back where they enjoyed their most success.
D.C. isn’t the only option for Washington’s new stadium. The Commanders believe Virginia will offer the best deal, while Maryland Governor Wes Moore is committed to keeping the team in Prince George’s County.
But if you ask any longtime Washington fan their preference, most will say they want the stadium in the nation’s capital. There will be some who don’t care, and others who are just happy Snyder is no longer the owner. But returning the team to D.C., and building up the city around the stadium, is a win for all parties.
A deal is a long way from happening, but that positive momentum can’t be ignored this time around.
