A bill to give Diistrict officials administrative control of the RFK Stadium site on a 99-year lease passed through the Senate unanimously Saturday.
The legislation lets the city use the stadium for sports, housing, recreation or retail. The flashiest option for the 174-acre campus would feature a luxurious facility to lure the Washington Commanders and other top sporting draws back to the District.
The Senate’s move drew widespread praise from local officials.
“This is a win for D.C., for our region and America,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote on X. “Everybody loves a good comeback story — and that’s D.C.’s story.”
While the move could pave the way for the Commanders’ return to the city, team owner Josh Harris has been reluctant to commit to any jurisdiction. They’re also courting deals in Maryland, where they have played since 1997.
“We are extremely grateful that our elected officials have come together on a bipartisan basis to give Washington, D.C., the opportunity to decide on the future of the RFK Stadium site,” Harris said in a statement. “This bill will create an equal playing field so that all potential future locations for the home of the Washington Commanders can be fairly considered and give our franchise the opportunity to provide the best experience for all of our fans.”
The legislation doesn’t include any funds for a new stadium. Instead, it transfers administrative control from the federal government to city officials. It does include some restrictions, such as reserving at least 30% of the site for parks and open spaces and barring construction directly on the Anacostia River waterfront.
When the legislation looked primed to pass this week, D.C. officials and many Commanders fans started to celebrate and reminisce. The NFL team won each of its three Super Bowls while playing home games at RFK Stadium. Since moving to Landover, the franchise has won just two playoff games in 27 years.
Commanders fan Kenneth Grandon wrote on X, “I grew up going to RFK. … Such special memories. I never went to a losing game there. Now at least there’s hope for a new stadium to renew those memories again. Incredible day.”
Another fan wrote, “This would be the greatest Christmas present ever.”
Despite the nostalgia attached to the site in Northeast, Maryland officials, including Gov. Wes Moore, have said they’ll try to keep the Commanders from leaving their state.
“We could start building the stadium immediately,” Rep. Glenn Ivey, Maryland Democrat, told ABC affiliate WJLA-TV. “They can continue to play where they are while they build a new one next to it that would be an indoor stadium, so it would be a pretty seamless transition, I think, from the team’s standpoint.”
The Commanders’ lease to play in Northwest Stadium, which Harris owns, continues through 2027. He has said he hopes to have a new home for the team ready in time for the 2030 season.
For many longtime fans of the franchise, a return to RFK Stadium would be the perfect full-circle moment after decades of mediocrity. The team has started to build momentum since former owner Dan Snyder sold the franchise in 2023, adding a new coach, general manager and president.
On the field, rookie Jayden Daniels led the Commanders to their first winning season since 2016 while ranking first among NFC quarterbacks in Pro Bowl voting.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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