The possibility of the Washington Commanders returning to play home games in the nation’s capital remains alive.
On Tuesday, the United States Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed a bill allowing the District of Columbia government to control federal land, including the site of the franchise’s former home, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The committee’s 17-2 vote moves the bill to the Senate floor for a total vote.
For many supporters, the site is a nostalgic choice for building a new stadium. However, Maryland, where the Commanders currently play, is also wooing the ownership group led by managing partner Josh Harris. Virginia, the site of the Commanders’ practice facility, has also shown interest in luring the NFL franchise.
Questions over the bill existed since May, when Senator Steve Daines (Montana-R) blocked legislation for the transfer over, in his view, issues about the organization not honoring Native Americans from Montana’s Blackfeet tribe who designed Washington’s long-time logo. At the hearing, Daines announced his “support” for the bill.
Now Democrat majority leader Chuck Schumer (New York) must allow for a hearing before the current congressional session ends on Dec. 20. The bill would go to President Joe Biden for his signature if passed in the Senate. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bill in February for a 99-year lease with the District over federal land now run by the National Parks Service.
“I am proud to say, after speaking with my constituents, that they are satisfied with the ongoing negotiations with the team and feel optimistic about the direction that they are heading,” Daines said in a statement released by his office. “Therefore, I will support the bill and vote in favor of its passage out of committee with the condition that the team follows through on the commitments made to the (Wetzel) family.”
In September, the Commanders installed a memorial at Northwest Stadium honoring Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, who in 1971 created the logo the Washington Redskins wore for decades. The franchise removed the Redskins name and other native imagery in 2020.
The Commanders, in a statement through a spokesperson following the hearing, said the result “is an exciting and significant step forward for the city of Washington D.C. as it looks to gain long-term control of the RFK site.”
“The Commanders have been fortunate to have interest from three incredible jurisdictions as we search for a new home and stadium,” the team said. “The vote today brings us one step closer towards continuing conversations with D.C., along with Maryland and Virginia, as a potential future home for our franchise.”
In August, Harris said he set a “realistic target” of 2030 for a new stadium in the area. The organization owns the current Landover, Maryland location which includes significant acreage for a new stadium. Maryland Governor Wes Moore and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser have loudly expressed their desire to have the stadium in their respective jurisdictions, though potential funding issues exist with the District’s efforts.
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(Photo: Brett Davis / USA Today)
