• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Roger Goodell, Josh Harris Lobby Senate on Behalf of RFK Stadium Bill

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris met with lawmakers Monday to discuss the RFK Stadium bill.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris met with Congressional lawmakers Monday to lobby on behalf of a bill that could lead to the NFL’s return to D.C., a league source confirmed to Front Office Sports.  

The push comes two weeks after the RFK Stadium bill—which would give D.C. more control of the federally controlled land that could be used for a new stadium—passed a Senate committee vote and now must pass a full Senate vote before the Senate is expected to adjourn on Dec. 20. 

Goodell and Harris met with legislators throughout Monday afternoon to address any concerns about the bill and to discuss “other league matters,” the source told FOS. Politico was first to report that Goodell and Harris were on Capitol Hill. 

Optimism that the bill will get a vote has spiked since Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) backed off his threat to block the bill before it could get past the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. It was Daines who urged the Commanders to more forcefully recognize Walter “Blackie” Wetzel for his contributions to the team’s former Native American headdress logo used from 1972-2020, which led to a plaque at the stadium for Wetzel.

By a 15-vote margin, the bill, formally titled the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, advanced out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Nov. 19.

“I’d expect opposition from the Senators in Maryland and potentially Virginia, but with a 17-2 vote out of committee, you have to expect they have the votes,” George Washington Law professor Melinda Roth says. “It will really just matter what this gets attached to. As long as it gets attached to something, it’s likely going to happen.”

Since it stands very little chance of passing as a standalone bill, work behind the scenes has focused on finding other legislation it could pass alongside, according to Congressional sources. 

Beyond the overwhelming committee vote, a Congressional source also credited the effort by the NFL and Commanders to boost the bill’s chances. The source also cited D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and her office’s work to advance the bill in the Senate, where D.C. has no representation. 

The bill passed the House in rare bipartisan fashion in February. It would award D.C. a 99-year lease to develop the 174 acres that encompass the old RFK site, where the team played until relocating to Landover, Md., in 1996. 

If the bill passes, D.C. would be an option alongside Virginia and Maryland for the next Commanders stadium. The team is aiming to play in a new stadium by 2030.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

breaking

Cooper Flagg Goes No. 1 to Dallas, Capping Mavs’ Rapid Rebuild

The expected selection extends a wild turn of events for Dallas. 
Sep 16, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Sacramento State Hornets running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver (25) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium.

Sacramento State ‘Full Steam Ahead’ for FBS Despite Not Receiving NCAA Waiver

The Hornets launched a public campaign to join the FBS last fall.
Jun 20, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; Detailed view of Nike Alphafly 3 racing flat at the Nike by Eugene store.

Investors Hunt for Signs Nike Has Regained Its Footing

Nike’s fundamentals are “still challenged.”
Wimbledon

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.

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

Work accelerates to convert the massive motorsports venue for baseball.
June 23, 2025

A’s Launch $1.75B Ballpark Build With Funding Puzzle Still Unsolved

Ground is broken in Las Vegas, but funding issues, Sacramento woes persist.
June 24, 2025

Diamondbacks Score Up to $500M for Chase Field Renovation

Concerns about another potential team relocation in Arizona influence the vote.
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 23, 2025

World Cup, NFL Draft, New Stadiums in PA … and No State..

Growing sports-related needs conflict with budget worries in the commonwealth.
Fenway Park
June 18, 2025

Fenway Park Concession Workers Poised to Strike 

The unionized workers overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike.
MLS Chicago Fire FC stadium rendering of hero visual
June 16, 2025

Chicago Fire Planning $650M Stadium As Bears, Sox Projects Stall

The MLS club unveils designs for its planned 22,000-seat stadium.
June 12, 2025

$2.4B Browns Stadium Plan Clears Hurdle With $600M State Backing

Legislative support for the stadium plan is clear, but more hurdles remain.