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New York Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Commanders await D.C. Council's stadium vote after sometimes heated hearing
WASHINGTON — If the D.C. Council's vote on the Washington Commanders' proposed new stadium is a fait accompli, one would hate to see what a less certain process looks like. Over two days, as the Council contemplated its Friday vote on a proposed 65,000-seat stadium for the Commanders, there was discussion — sometimes heated — about parking. About unions. About the Metrorail. More about parking. About jobs, whether union or non-union, and how much they would pay. About how much the Commanders would pay if their promise to construct 5,000 to 6,000 affordable housing units is delayed, or isn't realized. About the Commanders' stadium being LEED certified when it's completed, as are many NFL stadiums. About protecting the nearby Anacostia River. About hotels. Still more about parking. Advertisement 'I just want to make sure the public never loses sight of what we're getting,' D.C. mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said afterward. 'It's a really good deal.' The Council heard more than 18 hours of testimony over two days from a cross-section of the city's working classes, its elites, its longtime football fans, the mayor, Commanders' president Mark Clouse and more than 500 other interested parties. At the end, the sense remained that Council chairman Phil Mendelson (D) has the minimum eight votes needed from the 12 current council members to pass the legislation. If the measure passes Friday, a second vote will be needed in mid-September; that vote would require nine yes votes, after Ward 8 councilman-elect Trayon White is sworn in. Asked if she thinks she and the city have the votes, Bowser said, 'Yes.' 'We were very pleased with the session,' Bowser said. 'We got some good questions out, got to answer them publicly, directly. We feel pretty good about it.' The Commanders are committing $2.7 billion toward the stadium, which would be built at the site of crumbling RFK Stadium, the team's home during its glory years. The franchise would also be the master developer of an entertainment district and other mixed-use facilities on two parcels of land. The city is committing a little more than $1 billion toward stadium infrastructure costs and the construction of two garages totaling 8,000 parking spaces. 'We will be good partners to the city — not just now, but for decades to come — and we welcome continued engagement to be fair, responsible, and aligned with the District's long-term goals,' Clouse said in his prepared testimony. 'This can and will be a true catalyst of growth that will support and benefit ongoing budget discussions well into the future.' The Commanders made several financial concessions to the city last week, after the Council sought changes to the deal. The team will now give the city an estimated $260 million in parking revenue from non-stadium event days, an estimated $248 million — 10 percent — of the sales taxes on food and beverages sold at Commanders' games, another $112 million in parking taxes and $54 million in sales taxes on all merchandise sold at the stadium, for a total of $674 million over 30 years. D.C. City Council Chair Phil Mendelson announced the multiple concessions the city has gotten from the Commanders as part of the revised agreement between the team and city that will officially be voted on by the Council on Aug. 1, as reported yesterday in @TheAthletic. Details: — David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 24, 2025 The Commanders sent a letter to the Council late Tuesday detailing further commitments, including $50 million of investments over the next 30 years 'prioritizing businesses and residents in Wards 5, 7, and 8,' which border or are near the proposed stadium site. That total includes $20 million for a Commanders Youth Academy, which will focus, according to the letter, 'on educational success and youth sports located in Ward 7.' The other promised investments include: The remaining $13 million could be invested in projects and initiatives at the Council's discretion. Clouse said the Commanders would work with local partners to get a new grocery store constructed in Ward 7. Bowser engaged in sharp exchanges with at-large councilmember Robert White, who said Tuesday that he is still uncommitted on the project. White said he wants assurances that current residents living near the stadium site will not be priced out of their neighborhoods after new hotels, restaurants and other high-end buildings drive up property taxes in the area. Advertisement 'I do not believe we can, or should, pass a bill without a plan to protect the residents around RFK from displacement,' Robert White said, while sparring with both Clouse and Bowser. 'We are very clear on what we need to do to get the Commanders here, in terms of taxes, revenues and all that balance. But there are people who live around the site now whose tax dollars are going to be used to build a stadium that will price them out …whether they are renters or retirees.' Robert White asked Bowser to commit to a housing preservation fund, out of revenue created by the stadium project, to help keep low-income renters and owners in their homes. Bowser noted that the city already has protections for all homeowners in the District from massive year-to-year increases in property taxes — no more than 10 percent in a given year for most homeowners, and no more than 2 percent for senior citizens. White was not swayed. 'I mean, we're talking about the second-most gentrified jurisdiction in the nation, on a project that is absolutely going to make the cost of housing skyrocket,' White said. Robert White was also critical of the team's decision to keep its headquarters in College Park, Md. 'It's like, 'let's go steady. We'll move in together, but I'm still gonna keep my place in College Park,'' White said. Bowser said that she reached an understanding of sorts with Maryland's two U.S. senators, during the negotiations on the congressional bill giving control of the site back to the District, that the Commanders would remain in the state. 'I have had forthright conversations, and I know the Commanders have, with our partners in Maryland, our political partners in Maryland, and in Virginia,' Bowser said. 'We have made clear our desire to get our team, the Washington Commanders, in Washington. But we didn't make it a kind of free-for-all, of D.C. going into Maryland. Respectfully, councilmembers, I would ask you to help me keep that commitment.' It's time to get through the window of opportunity before it closes. On Friday, I'm asking for the DC Council's strong unified vote to help shift our economy, grow jobs and business opportunities, and bring our team home. — Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) July 30, 2025 Both Clouse and Bowser said they would support the construction of a new firehouse on or near the new buildout to handle the increased commercial and residential activity. In the letter, Clouse also said the Commanders will commit to 'developing a parking plan that does not preclude the construction of a new infill Metrorail station on or near Oklahoma Avenue, if it is deemed necessary at full build out of the RFK Campus.' Multiple people who testified Tuesday pointed to the need to enhance the existing Metrorail stop that served the original stadium site. The need to build at least one additional entranceway to the station has been a constant refrain from critics of the plan. Advertisement The Commanders also vowed to build and operate the new stadium to a 'LEED Platinum' standard, the highest level of certification, and committed to achieving a minimum of 'LEED Gold' (the second-highest level) for the accompanying mixed-use development. Commanders owner Josh Harris indicated in April he would like to have 'RFK' be part of the new stadium's name, noting he wants to 'get as close to our heritage as we can.' Clouse took it a step further, writing in his letter to the Council that that the team will build the stadium and surrounding mixed-use development 'in a manner that honors the legacy of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, including opportunities to memorialize him and his good works in park names, private street names, or other respectful measures.' Clouse also wrote that the team recognizes that working with the NWSL's Washington Spirit 'may result in a mutually beneficial relationship.' The Commanders are in early talks with the Spirit about potentially accommodating the soccer team at the new stadium, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions. The Spirit plays home games at Audi Field in D.C. and train at Inova Performance Complex in Leesburg, Va.
Washington Post
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
D.C. Council grills Bowser and the Commanders owner on RFK stadium deal
D.C. lawmakers grilled Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) and Washington Commanders President Mark Clouse in an hours-long hearing on Wednesday over the terms of the proposed $3.7 billion deal to bring the football team to a massive new stadium development at the RFK campus near the Anacostia River. Ahead of the D.C. Council's initial vote on the development terms Friday, lawmakers asked about everything from parking garage arrangements and transit capacity to community benefits and labor requirements. Wednesday's hearing came after hundreds of residents testified before the council Tuesday — and days after Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) released an amended version of the agreement with the Commanders after negotiating several new terms that he estimates would net roughly $779 million more in revenue or savings over 30 years than Bowser's initial proposal.
Business Journals
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Journals
Commanders offer additional concessions for D.C. stadium deal
Commanders officials, including team President Mark Clouse, second from right, and Head of Real Estate Andy VanHorn, right, and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, middle left, testified in support of the plans to redevelop the RFK campus with a new stadium for the Commanders.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Washington Commanders reveal alternate uniforms that nod to their Super Bowl glory
Hail to the ... well, it's apparently never going away. The Washington Commanders will sport a different but very familiar look in 2025 – heck, they looked a lot different in 2024 with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels at the controls – unveiling an alternate uniform for the upcoming season that will take their title-starved fans back to the Joe Gibbs glory years. What's new is really old as the Commanders are set to wear what is basically the same look the team had while reaching four Super Bowls between the 1982 and '91 seasons, winning the Lombardi Trophy three times during that span. The burgundy pants, white jersey and burgundy helmet with the three stripes down the center will certainly evoke memories of Gibbs, John Riggins, Joe Theismann, Doug Williams and many others. What's missing will be the team's former Indian head logo, replaced by the Commanders' current "W" insignia. The announcement on social media used the phrase "Fit for Old D.C.," a nod to the team's fight song, which urges the team to "fight for Old D.C." 'We are excited to celebrate Washington's incredible history with these iconic, Super Bowl Era uniforms this season,' team president Mark Clouse said in a statement. 'Ever since Josh Harris and our ownership group acquired the team back in 2023, they've placed great value in finding ways to connect the past and present and honor those that made the burgundy and gold what it is today. These uniforms recognize the most successful era of our franchise – one that reflects a culture of excellence and encompasses many historical moments and special memories amongst our fanbase. Our coaches, players and the entire organization could not be more excited to celebrate our team's legacy while creating new memories in these uniforms this season.' RANKING NFL UNIFORMS WORST TO BEST Who looks good? Who doesn't? Where do Commanders and Saints check in after new reveals? The Super Bowl-era throwbacks will debut November 2 when the Commanders host the Seattle Seahawks on "Sunday Night Football" and will return on "SNF" again four weeks later at home against the Denver Broncos. The alternates will be worn a total of three times, the final one on Christmas, when the archrival Dallas Cowboys come to Northwest Stadium for a game that will be streamed on Netflix. The team's other recent alternate has featured black jerseys and pants with the club's signature burgundy and gold serving as trim, including for the District of Columbia's flag (normally red and white) featured on the sleeve. The black helmet is also distinctive, with the gold 'W' on the forehead and stars and bars of the D.C. flag in gold at the back. Each player's jersey number was placed on the side of the helmet where the primary insignia usually goes. While some embraced this darker version, other fans have complained the black motif made the club look too similar to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wednesday's reveal also comes at a time when the team is closer than ever to building a new venue on the RFK Stadium site it vacated three decades ago. The new alternate becomes the franchise's eighth different uniform (not including various jersey-pants combinations) since 2020, when the murder of George Floyd compelled the team to drop its former nickname, which is defined by Merriam-Webster as an 'insulting and contemptuous term for an American Indian.' Prior to 2020, many Native American groups and others had lobbied the team to scrap the name, but former owner Daniel Snyder told USA TODAY Sports in 2013 that, 'We'll never change the name. It's that simple. NEVER – you can use caps."However Snyder, a highly controversial and widely despised figure for nearly the entirety of his 24-year stint as owner, ultimately relented before selling the team under pressure to a group led by Harris two years ago for more than $6 billion. The club played as the 'Washington Football Team' in 2020 and '21 before a somewhat botched rollout of the Commanders rebrand under Snyder in 2022. Local reception to the new nickname, which is meant to tie in with the region's vast military community, has been lukewarm, many fans still wearing gear with the former logo or even the interim WFT garb instead. But the arrival of Daniels and head coach Dan Quinn has begun a long-needed revitalization of the brand and organization, which will host the 2027 NFL draft on the National Mall. Harris definitively stated earlier this year that the club's former name − many fans (and President Trump) prefer it even if it is a slur − won't return. Quinn sparked a brief sensation last year by wearing a T-shirt featuring the contemporary W logo sprouting a feather similar to the one on the old emblem. But Commanders will remain the nickname moving forward. "Now, in this building, the Commanders means something. It's about players who love football, are great at football, hit hard, are mentally tough and great teammates," Harris said in February. "It's really meaningful. That name is growing in meaning. "As far as rebranding and bringing our past – which obviously I grew up with, and all the Super Bowl championships – and our future together, you're going to see us move back toward honoring our past and bringing it together with our future." A broader reboot of the Commanders uniforms in the near future (but not 2025) has been rumored but would need approval from the NFL, which normally requires teams to stick with a uniform overhaul for at least five years. . This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Commanders uniforms: Washington's new alternates a Super Bowl callback
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
JJ Watt Reacts to Commanders' New Uniform With Three-Word Verdict
JJ Watt Reacts to Commanders' New Uniform With Three-Word Verdict originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders' new throwback uniforms are so good that they've gotten quite the endorsement from none other than a future Hall of Famer without even being worn once on the gridiron. Advertisement On Wednesday, the franchise unveiled alternate uniforms paying tribute to their Super Bowl glory years. Former defensive end JJ Watt, first eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028 following his 2022 retirement, took to social media with a clear three-word verdict. '🎯🎯🎯 Make 'em permanent.' The message, posted to Watt's X account, was a reaction to the Commanders' post showcasing their new white tops and burgundy bottoms, designed with bold gold and white stripes and a classic nameplate font. Washington's new alternate uniform mirrors the team's aesthetics from its championship seasons in 1982 (XVII), 1987 (XXII), and 1991 (XXVI). Advertisement The new threads will be worn three times this season, including a high-profile Christmas Day game against the Dallas Cowboys, and two earlier games against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9 and the Denver Broncos in Week 13. According to team president Mark Clouse, the redesign is part of a broader effort to reconnect with the franchise's proudest moments. "We are excited to celebrate Washington's incredible history with these iconic, Super Bowl Era uniforms this season," Clouse wrote in a statement. "Ever since Josh Harris and our ownership group acquired the team back in 2023, they've placed great value in finding ways to connect the past and present and honor those that made the burgundy and gold what it is today. Advertisement "These uniforms recognize the most successful era of our franchise -- one that reflects a culture of excellence and encompasses many historical moments and special memories amongst our fanbase." Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Commanders have chosen a good moment for making such a nostalgic move as they enter the 2025 season riding some momentum, coinciding with the arrival of quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2024. After a four-win campaign in 2023, the Commanders surged to an impressive 12 wins last year, making it to the NFC Championship Game. With head coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels in place, expectations are as high as they've been since their last Super Bowl run, when Washington last won more than 10 games (14) before breaking that mark last year. Advertisement Related: Will Commanders' Terry McLaurin Fetch Top Dollar In Contract Talks? Related: Is Jayden Daniels' Commanders' Offense As Good As We Think? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
