• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

RFK Stadium Bill Passes in Overnight Stunner

In a 1:15 a.m. vote, all 100 senators voted yes to the bill that will allow the site of the former Commanders home to transfer from federal to D.C. control.

Oct 5, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris with fans before the game against the Chicago Bears at FedExField.
Brad Mills-Imagn Images

A bill that would clear the way for the Washington Commanders to return to D.C. passed a unanimous Senate vote after 1 a.m. EST Saturday and will now head to President Biden’s desk.

It was a hard-fought victory for the legislation’s proponents who had to counter tweets from Elon Musk Wednesday night, including one with 20 million views that declared the stadium “should not be funded by your tax dollars!”

The bill has never had any federal funding since it was first introduced in July 2023, and explicitly states D.C. “may not use federal funds for stadium purposes on the campus, including training facilities, offices, and other structures necessary to support a stadium.”

“Elon got the details of the legislation completely wrong, but the good bill still came out on top,” a Congressional source told Front Office Sports after the bill passed.

Earlier this week, it looked like the bill would breeze through as part of the continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through March. But then Musk spread misinformation about the funding of the stadium, and President-elect Donald Trump pressured House Speaker Mike Johnson to trim the bill.

The slimmer CR was overwhelmingly voted down Thursday before a final CR passed with Democratic support Friday. 

The RFK Stadium bill wasn’t in either CR, including the one the Senate passed around 12:30 a.m. ET Saturday. But behind the scenes, the Commanders and other proponents of the bill made a major Senate push starting Thursday that quietly led Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to introduce the bill by unanimous consent around 1:15 a.m. ET. 

It wasn’t certain until minutes prior that all 100 senators would agree, including the two from Maryland who had backed off their opposition only earlier this week. 

“We have always supported the District’s effort to control its own land,” Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen said in a joint statement. “Our concerns with this proposal have been addressed.”

No Senators spoke up in opposition. 

“If Congress failed to act today, this decaying land in Washington would continue to cost taxpayers a fortune to maintain,” Rep. James Comer (R-KY), who co-authored the bill, said in a statement. “Revitalizing this RFK Memorial Stadium site has been a top economic priority for the city, and I am proud to have partnered with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to get this bill across the finish line.”

Once signed by Biden, the 170-acre site of the Commanders’ former home will transfer from federal to D.C. control as part of a 99-year lease. The new lease gives D.C other options than its current lease for the land, including housing and parks.

Commanders managing partner Josh Harris released a statement praising the “bipartisan” effort to pass the bill, which he said “will create an equal playing field so that all potential future locations for the home of the Washington Commanders can be fairly considered and give our franchise the opportunity to provide the best experience for all our fans.” 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Chelsea

Club World Cup Semis Are Battle to Make Richest Soccer Final Ever

Semifinalists have each earned at least $60 million from the tournament so far.
Breanna Stewart

WNBA Players Call League Proposal For Fixed Salary Cap Inadequate  

The league’s collective bargaining agreement expires in less than four months.
Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Nicholas DeGraves (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston University Terriers during the third period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national semifinals at Enterprise Center

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State Commitment Cements College Hockey Supremacy

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State decision signals hockey’s rising stars now prefer NCAA.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Jul 3, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) returns a shot during his match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) on day seven at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon’s Expansion Battle Looms Over Star-Studded Quarterfinals

The expansion’s loudest opposition is Save Wimbledon Park.
July 1, 2025

$600M for Browns Stadium Sparks Cleveland Backlash, Possible Lawsuit

The awarding of public funds draws criticism and could bring a lawsuit.
July 2, 2025

Commanders’ $3.8B Stadium Deal in Jeopardy? Mayor Sounds the Alarm

Political tensions rise about delays in stadium funding approval.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
June 26, 2025

Bengals Strike 10-Year, $470M Stadium Deal to Stay in Cincinnati

The NFL franchise and Hamilton County have agreed to a new lease.
June 26, 2025

Browns $2.4B Stadium Plan Now Relies on Ohioans’ Forgotten Money

Ohio’s Modell Law is revised, while stadium funding faces new challenges.
June 25, 2025

MLB’s Bold Bristol Plan: Inside the Renovation and Potential Records

Work accelerates to convert the massive motorsports venue for baseball.