Josh Harris’ ownership of the Washington Commanders has just begun, but a deal for a new venue at the site of RFK Stadium, the team’s former home, already feels like a sure thing.
D.C. politicians want to build there, as do federal lawmakers. Harris lauds the team’s original atmosphere at RFK Stadium, and team officials have repeatedly branded the site the Commanders’ “spiritual home.”
Not so fast, says Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
At a town hall on Tuesday, Moore predicted that the Commanders will stay in Landover and said he will look to complete a stadium deal with Harris involving public money.
“I believe this stadium should be in Prince George’s County. I believe it will be in Prince George’s County,” Moore said. “I know we’re excited to support the endeavor to make that happen.”
Though the Commanders’ headquarters are in Ashburn, Virgina, the team has played its home games at Landover’s FedEx Field since leaving RFK Stadium after the 1996 season.
During the ugly ownership tenure of Dan Snyder, the Commanders unsuccessfully sought to play D.C., Virginia, and Maryland leaders against each other in search of the best stadium deal.
With the team’s ownership change, the dynamic has flipped, and the surging inbound interest from the public sector now resembles the Chicago Bears’ growing stadium options. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin attended a Commanders practice last week and similarly touted plans to mount a stadium bid.
Prior to the completion of Harris’ purchase, an internal document sent to prospective minority partners projected that Virginia would deliver the best stadium financing package.
