Have the Washington Commanders' chances of returning to RFK Stadium been undermined by the Washington Wizards and Capitals staying at Capital One Arena?
Maybe.
Just weeks ago, the Commanders’ return to its emotional home seemed certain. The city needs sports teams and the NFL’s return would offset the loss of the NBA and NHL to Alexandria.
Now, the Wiz and Caps are locked into the Penn Quarter arena through 2050, thanks to a $515 million corporate giveaway by the city. The Commanders are last to the public money trough and may need to remain in Maryland, whose leaders are eager to keep its second NFL team after the Baltimore Ravens.
But, the City Council would be wise to seriously consider a Commanders return, because Nats Park and Capital One Arena have been blockbuster successes in revitalizing their neighborhoods. The Navy Yard around Nats Park was a disgrace before the stadium’s 2008 opening. Industrial waterside businesses have since been relocated for needed housing while the red light district is now open for daytime businesses.
China Town around Capital One Arena went from a neglected neighborhood just blocks from Pennsylvania Ave. to new construction converting surface parking lots to businesses. Sure, Penn Quarter has struggled again in recent years since Covid dramatically changed the numbers of people downtown, but it will rise once more as part of a new initiative to bring 15,000 residents into the city’s core.
Listen, nearly everyone wants the Commanders to return to RFK. Aside its historical significance, the site is centrally located for Maryland and Virginia fans. It’s that simple.
But, Commanders owner Josh Harris has to be a businessman despite growing up attending games at RFK. Sure, it would make him even more of a hero in town (he’s already one for paying off Snyder). But, Harris and partners spent $6.05 billion for the team and invested more than $100 million in stadium upgrades and franchise improvements, so he can’t just write a blank check for a new venue.
Governments always pay part of the cost to lure businesses. Virginia spent $573 million to attract Amazon’s East Coast headquarters. Maryland invested $70 million in infrastructure when the Redskins opened the Landover stadium in 1997. All the team had to do was spend five summers in Frostburg to gain a key politician’s vote.
Surely, Harris’ new stadium cost starts at $2 billion overall. He’s sure to want at least what the District gave the Wiz/Caps. Maryland probably finds that much in the seat cushions. Whether city leaders can do it again when struggling to increase social services is debatable.
The odds are now 50/50 on the Commanders coming to RFK. We’ll see how badly the city wants it.