https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/spor ... 9ht0yug5cc
DC, Commanders close to $3B deal for new stadium at RFK site
Team would pay majority of costs to build stadium, sources said
By Mark Segraves, News4 Reporter
D.C. is close to a deal worth more than $3 billion to bring the Washington Commanders back to the District and build a new stadium at the RFK Stadium site.
The deal isn’t final as negotiations are ongoing, so the number could change, but multiple sources familiar with the deal told News4 that Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Commanders have the framework for a deal in place that would see the team paying the vast majority of the costs to build a new stadium and much of the money provided by the city going for infrastructure that will support the entire 180-acre development.
The Commanders would put up as much as $2.5 billion, and the District would provide up to $850 million, documents obtained by News4 show. D.C.’s funding would go toward what are referred to as eligible capital costs associated with the stadium and infrastructure for the stadium and surrounding 180-acre campus, including parking structures that will serve the entire development.
The District’s investment would be paid in installments, with the first $500 million paid out between 2026 and 2030 for various portions of the work as the stadium and infrastructure are completed. The other $350 million would be paid in 2032 through taxes generated from the new development to cover costs of the stadium or stadium infrastructure.
The final contribution by the team could be less than 2.5 billion, sources familiar with the negotiations told News4.
The deal calls for the stadium and stadium parking to be completed by fall 2030. Commanders owner Josh Harris has been clear he wants a new stadium to be ready for the 2030 season.
The mayor’s office and the Commanders declined to comment to News4 Wednesday.
But at a press conference Monday, Bowser announced the 2026 budget is complete and ready to go to the D.C. Council. If the mayor has a deal for a new stadium, it will have to be in the 2026 budget.
The preliminary agreement News4 obtained refers to the team as the master developer, meaning the team would not only build the stadium but also develop the entire 180-acre campus, which the mayor and council members have said they want to be a mixed-use residential and retail development.
One hurdle is the looming $410 million in budget cuts D.C. faces for the current fiscal year that were imposed by Congress. That must get resolved, then the mayor can present her budget for fiscal year 2026, which needs to be approved by the D.C. Council and Congress.
Separate legislation ready to go to Council would iron out development and use details for the site, including zoning.
Zoning will be a big issue going forward. A group of residents wants a voter initiative on the ballot blocking a stadium by restricting what can be built on the site.
