The Washington Commanders may soon return to D.C. after a Senate committee voted to transfer control of the RFK Stadium site to the city. The bill, which passed 17-2, would allow development of the 100+ acres around the old stadium, possibly for a new NFL stadium, as reported by WTOP. While the bill has bipartisan support, it still needs full Senate approval, and if it doesn't pass during the current session, the process will restart in 2025.
The bid for the Commanders' return has faced previous hurdles, notably one Senator Steve Daines of Montana, whose opposition is rooted primarily in the team's previous logo. It appears now that he is satisfied that the team is negotiating in good faith to honor the legacy of its original logo, as he put it, giving his support to the bill. According to NBC Washington, Daines cited ongoing good-faith negotiations that are building trust. Meanwhile, the team's owner, Josh Harris, expressed an emotional connection to the potential move, noting in a statement that "it's not just business" but also about the fans and the city.
The bill to bring the Commanders back to D.C. still needs approval from the full Senate. While it has strong bipartisan support, there are challenges, with some Maryland officials and D.C. councilmembers opposing it. Maryland Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin want the team to stay in Maryland. The full Senate's decision will determine if the Commanders can return to the stadium they once played in.
