Washington Commanders new $3.8 billion stadium at RISK over controversial political rift

A HITCH could squash the Washington Commanders’ new billion-dollar stadium proposal.

A controversial political debate could hinder the NFL team’s plans.

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Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at a news conference on building a new Commanders stadium[/caption]

In late April, Owner Josh Harris’ Commanders and the city of Washington, D.C. agreed on a $3.7 billion deal to build a new venue at the site of the former home of RFK Stadium.

The development is a new, domed 65-000-seat stadium as the Commanders will fund $2.7 billion of the bill.

But there is now a political disagreement between the District of Columbia’s top two officials.

D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser revealed Thursday that delays by the D.C. Council to approve the latest budget are already jeopardizing a plan for the facility set for a 2030 opening.

“A delay sacrifices our exclusive seat at the table and $2.7 million in private investment,” Bowser said, via Front Office Sports.

“The Commanders and my team are ready to iron out the details with the Council and respond to any concerns.

“It should be clear, but let me emphasize: If the Council strips the deal terms or budgeted dollars from the budget, it kills our agreement with the Commanders.”

The agreement between Bowser and the Commanders needs preliminary approval of the stadium by July 15.

Then, the Commanders could talk with other jurisdictions.

D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson has been skeptical of the $1.1 billion in public backing targeted for the Commanders’ new stadium and related infrastructure.

Mendelson said Bowser’s comments aren’t factual and that, despite what the stadium deal says, there’s more time to work than what Bowser thinks.

“The Commanders have said the earliest they would need the District’s money and go to the bond markets to finance construction is next summer,” Mendelson said.

“We will work within the Commanders’ 2030 timetable.”

Nonetheless, the Commanders continue to be optimistic that the deal will happen quickly and construction can begin next year.

The Commanders, who were then the Washington Redskins, played in RFK Stadium from 1961 to 1996.

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RFK Stadium, once the Commanders’ home for 35 years, has been abandoned since 2019[/caption]

The venue was one of the best home-field advantages in sports as the franchise won three Super Bowl titles during that span.

The Commanders then moved to Northwest Stadium.

The owner Harris hopes to bring the team back to DC after 34 years away.

Demolition of the vacant RFK Stadium, which is next to the Anacostia River and next to the DC Armory, began in January, with the process expected to finish in the summer of 2026.

The Commanders are coming off a stellar season in which they appeared in the NFC Championship Game.