D.C. Council Delays Washington Commanders $3.7 Billion Stadium Deal With $1.1 Billion District Contribution, Raising Relocation Concerns

The proposed $3.7 billion plan to build a new Washington Commanders stadium at the RFK Stadium site in Washington, D.C., faces uncertainty due to delays and political disagreements between Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson. Mayor Bowser has warned that any delays in Council approval could jeopardize the entire project and prompt the franchise to consider relocation. Mendelson has proposed separating the stadium deal from the city's 2026 budget legislation to allow for dedicated public hearings and more thorough review, a move that the Commanders organization fears will delay the project.

The Council is unlikely to meet Bowser's July deadline for approval, with a vote possibly postponed until mid-September. The District's contribution to the project is estimated at around $1.1 billion, but total costs could exceed this amount depending on budget decisions. Public hearings have been scheduled to scrutinize the deal amid concerns raised by lawmakers and local organizations about taxpayer impact and project benefits. Mayor Bowser emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity, highlighting that the Commanders would bring $2.7 billion in private investment to kickstart the RFK campus redevelopment. The ongoing debate reflects broader tensions over the timing and structure of the approval process, with the Council seeking more time for evaluation and the team pressing for swift action to avoid jeopardizing the stadium's construction timeline.