Washington Commanders Set to Revitalize RFK Stadium Site
The Washington Commanders have reached an agreement with Washington, D.C. officials to build a new stadium at the historic RFK Stadium site.
In a move that promises to bring professional football back to the heart of the nation’s capital, the Washington Commanders have secured a deal to construct a new stadium on the site of the former RFK Stadium. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the agreement, which still awaits approval from the D.C. City Council, signaling a return for the team to its old stomping ground after playing in Landover, Maryland since 1997.
The deal not only marks a nostalgic homecoming for the Commanders, who played at RFK Stadium from 1961 to 1996, but also carries significant cultural weight. Congressional support for the project hinges on the franchise’s commitment to honor the old Redskins logo, a nod to Native American heritage championed by Senator Steve Daines of Montana. The senator emphasized the importance of good faith negotiations between the team, the NFL, and Native American communities, suggesting that the logo’s revival could benefit Native American sports initiatives.
Team owner Josh Harris, who purchased the team from Daniel Snyder, has expressed enthusiasm about the project, setting a target of 2030 for the new stadium’s completion. Additionally, Harris envisions the possibility of hosting a future NFL Draft on the National Mall, a prospect that would further cement the Commanders’ reintegration into the fabric of Washington, D.C.
The announcement was accompanied by a sentimental video narrated by Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Theismann, underscoring the emotional significance of the move back to D.C. As the Commanders look to the future, the revival of RFK Stadium represents not just a new home for the team, but a bridge to its storied past.