Jayden Daniels isn’t the only person in town capable of completing a Hail Mary.
The U.S. Senate passed legislation early Saturday morning that would give the District of Columbia control of the 174-acre RFK campus, thus reviving potential plans for a new Washington Commanders stadium that had only hours before been dealt a potential knockout blow.
The U.S. House of Representatives avoided a government shutdown by passing legislation Friday evening extending funding into mid-March. However, the bill no longer included language that would transfer control of the RFK campus in the nation’s capital from the federal government to the District. Without a resolution before the end of this congressional session, the proposition would have to be rewritten after months of discussion if the District, federal government officials and Commanders choose to begin again.
Then came a political play that might deserve a nickname if the NFL franchise returned to the site it called home for 35 years.
The Senate passed the Robert F. Kennedy Campus Revitalization Act by unanimous consent among 100 senators. New terms give control of the RFK site for 99 years, allowing the building of a stadium and pursuing commercial or community opportunities.
Managing partner Josh Harris, raised in the nearby Maryland suburbs and a lifelong fan of the three-time Super Bowl-winning organization, pursued a vote on the Hill for months. Spending political capital appeared not enough this round. By Saturday, the score flipped. One of the minority partners expressed enthusiasm.
Statement from Managing Partner Josh Harris pic.twitter.com/B0Uf2Si5Sl
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 21, 2024
The bill requires the signature of President Joe Biden. Expectations are for no further drama, though it’s fair to think that seems almost impossible after the pinballing of outcomes this week.
Following the initial bipartisan agreement — passage for the RFK transfer was included in a continuing resolution designed to avoid a federal government shutdown — Republican politicians, including President-elect Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk, publicly criticized the terms on social media. Concerns were mainly about other aspects of the bill beyond the RFK matter, including the nation’s debt ceiling. However, inaccurate or misleading comments about taxpayer dollars involved with the transfer were included.
Even though hurdles remained, the Commanders ownership group’s actions strongly suggested the franchise would seek to relocate from its current home in suburban Maryland.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the new timeframe would allow for necessary financing for a stadium project in conjunction with the Commanders. Estimations suggest that a stadium complex will exceed $2 billion.
The RFK property, located by the Anacostia River, has been dormant for a decade. Bowser addressed the rationale for the land transfer during a Thursday news conference about refurbishing D.C.’s Capital One Arena, home to the Washington Capitals and Wizards.
“Our message is the same, that transferring the RFK site to the District removes blight from the nation’s capital,” Bowser said. “The legislation contains no federal funding for the transfer of the land. The legislation expressly prohibits the use of federal funds for the land.”
Even with control of the RFK site, the District must construct a financing plan, which members of the D.C. City Council previously rejected even before the $515 million committed to Capital One Arena. Saturday’s reprieve makes the possibility of luring the Commanders officially more intriguing.
The Commanders own the 200-acre property in Prince George’s County that houses Northwest Stadium. Building a new stadium, regardless of location or perceived economic benefits, would replace arguably the league’s worst game day venue. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and other state officials are eager to maintain the status of having two NFL teams, the Commanders and Baltimore Ravens, and work with Harris to build retail and commercial property in the connecting neighborhoods.
Moore and Harris signed a Memorandum of Understanding that specifies the franchise’s community and re-developmental responsibilities if the Commanders move to another property outside the state. That didn’t mean Moore would concede losing the Commanders.
GO DEEPER
If Commanders leave for D.C., Maryland has a plan in place
The RFK site is the choice for nostalgia — and to satisfy numerous fans who remember the franchise’s glory days. Without the bill passing, significant patience would be required, something Harris and his partners, including NBA legend Magic Johnson, might deem challenging after purchasing the franchise from Dan Snyder in July 2023 for $6.05 billion.
Maryland Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen stated support of the Senate bill.
“We have always supported the District’s effort to control its own land and … our concerns with this proposal have been addressed.” They did not block the bill.
The Commanders will also look to build a modern practice facility to replace the current one in Northern Virginia, whether as part of a stadium project or separately. Virginia previously held stadium talks with Snyder but is considered a longshot.
Bowser worked with oversight committee chairman James Comer (R-KY) to pass legislation through the committee earlier this year. After a lengthy delay, the language giving D.C. control of the RFK campus also cleared the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, allowing for a vote on the Senate floor.
On Tuesday, Comer said, “Without Congressional action, this land would remain vacant, leaving ongoing maintenance costs and liabilities to burden the American taxpayer.” The chairman celebrated the Senate vote on social media.
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RFK STADIUM LEGISLATION PASSES SENATE AND HEADS TO THE PRESIDENT’S DESK.
The Senate just passed my bipartisan D.C. RFK Stadium Campus Revitalization Act.
If Congress failed to pass my RFK stadium legislation, this decaying land in D.C. would continue to cost taxpayers…
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) December 21, 2024
Negotiations with Maryland’s Senate delegation for the continuing resolution to reach a vote included the federal government agreeing to fund the reconstruction of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and the D.C. government shifting F-16 fighter jets from its National Guard to Maryland. The bridge funding remains in the revised congressional bill.
On Thursday, Bowser was asked what would happen if the RFK portion of the continuing resolution failed. “I don’t know if there’s another path this session,” she said.
And then, out of nowhere, there was.
(Photo: Brandon Sloter / Image Of Sport / Getty Images)
