DC council set for Aug. 1 vote on updated Commanders stadium plan after Trump threatened to block it
The updated plan would support a $3.7 billion redevelopment project featuring a new stadium, 6,000 housing units — including 1,800 designated as affordable — and retail space and parkland across the 174-acre RFK campus.
Mendelson's statement comes days after President Donald Trump threatened to block federal support for the stadium project unless the team reverted to its former name, 'Redskins.' He called the 'Commanders' name 'ridiculous.'
Under the revised proposal, Mendelson's office estimates, the redevelopment could generate $26.6 billion in tax revenue over 30 years. The District would contribute $1 billion toward the stadium project, while the team would fund the remaining $2.7 billion.
'It's clear that the Commanders showed through their negotiations their commitment to the District,' Mendelson said. 'The process has been extremely productive, and they've been a cooperative partner.'
Commanders team president Mark Clouse — whose club opened training camp in Virginia this week — welcomed the Council's timeline.
'We are thrilled the Council will vote to hopefully support this project on August 1,' Clouse said in a statement. 'With today's announcement, the opportunity to bring the team back to its spiritual home and revitalize a critical part of the nation's capital is one step closer.'
The Commanders currently play at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, but aim to open a new venue in 2030.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, who negotiated the original plan with Commanders owner Josh Harris in April, praised the new framework as 'the most important economic development project in the history of Washington, D.C.'
Momentum for the site's redevelopment accelerated after the House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, approved a lease that gave the city control over the long-dormant RFK area.
'It is time to unlock the city's full economic potential,' said Comer's chief of staff, Austin Hacker. 'Congress empowered District leaders with the responsibility to revitalize the long-neglected and deteriorating RFK Memorial Stadium campus in our nation's capital.'
The ownership group led by Harris has been considering locations in Washington, Maryland and Virginia since buying the team from Dan Snyder in 2022. The most recent progress came when Congress passed a bill transferring the RFK Stadium land to D.C. that was signed by former President Joe Biden in early January, after lobbying on Capitol Hill by Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell late last year.
That paved the way for making it possible to tear down the decaying husk of the old stadium and replace it with a mixed-use development, including the new playing field for the Commanders.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
15 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump To Release Billions In Frozen Funds: What To Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. More than $5 billion in frozen education grant funding to the states will be released in the coming weeks, according to the Department of Education. The money, which was used to found a range of initiatives including teacher training and English language programs, was suspended by the Trump administration on June 30 pending a review by the federal Office of Management and Budget. Newsweek contacted the Department of Education for comment on Saturday via email outside of regular office hours. The Context The announcement follows weeks of lobbying from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers concerned about the impact the funding suspension would have on their districts. Lawsuits aiming to get the money unfrozen had been submitted by 24 states and the District of Columbia along with a separate group of teaching unions, school districts and parents. What To Know On Friday, the Department of Education spokesperson Madi Biedermann said the funding had been unfrozen and would begin being paid out next week. The money was part of a larger sum of nearly $7 billion that had been approved by Congress for education spending and was due to be released on July 1, but that the Trump administration announced it had placed a block the previous day. On June 30, the Education Department announced the spending was under review with the Office of Management and Budget saying it would investigate whether it had previously been spent supporting a "radical left-wing agenda." President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives at Glasgow Prestwick Airport on July 25, 2025 in Prestwick, Scotland, UK. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives at Glasgow Prestwick Airport on July 25, 2025 in Prestwick, Scotland, UK. Andrew Harnik/GETTY The money had been earmarked for a number of services including migrant education, English language programs and adult education with $2.2 billion committed to teachers' professional development. On Friday the administration said there would be "guardrails" in place to ensure the released money wasn't spent "in violation of executive orders or administration policy." Earlier this month the Supreme Court ruled the Department of Education can go ahead with its plan to lay off nearly 1,400 workers. The Trump administration reportedly considered abolishing the Department of Education in its entirety earlier this year. What People Are Saying In a post on X, Nebraska House Republican Don Bacon wrote: "Exciting news to announce! All frozen education funding for the upcoming school year have been released." Referring to the payments on Friday at the National Governors Association's summer meeting Education Secretary Linda McMahon said: "I would think now that we've reviewed them … a year from now, we wouldn't find ourselves in the same situation." Addressing The Washington Post Democratic Senator Patty Murray said: "This administration deserves no credit for just barely averting a crisis they themselves set in motion. "You don't thank a burglar for returning your cash after you've spent a month figuring out if you'd have to sell your house to make up the difference." Speaking to Axios Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito said: "The programs are ones that enjoy long-standing, bipartisan support like after-school and summer programs that provide learning and enrichment opportunities for school aged children, which also enables their parents to work and contribute to local economies, and programs to support adult learners working to gain employment skills, earn workforce certifications, or transition into postsecondary education." Skye Perryman, president of the Democracy Forward campaign group, said: "While this development shows that legal and public pressure can make a difference, school districts, parents, and educators should not have to take the administration to court to secure funds for their students." What Happens Next Payments from the frozen funding should start going out next week according to the Department of Education.
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Good luck to defenders trying to tackle Commanders' Deebo Samuel in 2025
Is Deebo Samuel fit or fat? Video of the new Washington Commanders wide receiver went viral when he was working out during the voluntary part of the offseason schedule. Concerns were raised and criticisms launched all over social media. John Keim recently chatted with Samuel's personal trainer, Nick Hill, on his podcast. Hill is not a recent addition for Samuel. In fact, when Samuel was coming out of South Carolina, he worked with Hill in preparation for the 2019 NFL Combine. Things went well for Samuel, working prior to the draft with Hill, as Samuel was selected by the San Francisco 49ers 36th overall in the second round of that 2019 draft. Hill informed Keim that, during the draft preparation, he had an unbelievable receiver class, featuring Samuel, A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Paris Campbell, N'Keal Harry, and Johnny Dixon. Apparently, Samuel, after a couple of seasons, returned to Hill, as Hill had conveyed to Keim that Samuel and Hill had now worked together for the last four years. When Keim asked what has stood out regarding Samuel, Hill didn't hesitate to respond, "He's so explosive, really good at acceleration, and very powerful. That's what he is special at, and that is why when he gets the ball in his hands he is so dangerous; he is so quick from point A to point B. And that is still special to this day." Get this! Hill went as far as to say Samuel's body type is similar to another player who has worked out and worked with Hill, Saquon Barkley: "Just strong, powerful, fast." When Keim inquired regarding what type of worker Samuel is, Hill replied, "He's the type of guy that once he gets something in his mind and he puts those blinders on, he's going full speed. We are going at 6 am right now. He is going two or three sessions a day, going to bed and waking up the next day, and going after it again." Hill expressed that Samuel always takes a month to six weeks off after the season, but then once he starts working out again, he is on the gas pedal. Hill even went as far as to use the word "disciplined" regarding Samuel's workouts. Knowing of the photos and videos featuring Samuel that circulated a couple of months ago, Hill attempted to assure Commanders fans that Samuel had never reported to training camp or begun a season overweight. Contending that Samuel is naturally built bigger, Hill was unrelenting with Keim that Samuel will never be a 180-pound receiver. He simply has too much muscle and is too big; he will most often play at 220 at this stage of his career. Apparently, Samuel has also expressed to Hill that he is enjoying his new identity as a receiver on the Commanders, who is here to prove himself under his one-year deal. Good luck trying to tackle Deebo Samuel in 2025. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Good luck trying to tackle Commanders WR Deebo Samuel in 2025
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Commanders WR Deebo Samuel kept receipts
Deebo Samuel did not forget some of the terrible things said about him this offseason. You can see it in the workout videos that those close to Samuel have shared. His personal trainer recently said Samuel weighed 220 pounds. Could you imagine trying to tackle Samuel in the open field? During last month's minicamp, a video of Samuel jogging during a route went viral. There was nothing to it. Of course, social media engagement accounts "like" and share the photo, with some snarky comments, either insinuating that Samuel was out of shape or giving a half-hearted effort. Samuel has the receipts. In a video shared on his Instagram on Friday, Samuel shared several of those X posts in rapid-fire fashion, mixed in with his workouts, whether in the weight room or on the field. He even offered a two-finger salute to his "critics." Check it out: Samuel has always played with a chip on his shoulder. When he was traded in March, that chip grew. He's also playing in the final year of his contract, so he has much to prove. He's seen all of the nasty comments mocking him — mostly from Eagles fans — and he's out to prove the Commanders were correct in trading for him. While it's early, Samuel has looked terrific in training camp. The Commanders believe they're getting the best of a motivated Samuel in 2025. Washington fans hope he saves some of that anger for the two Philadelphia meetings late in the season. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders WR Deebo Samuel has a message for all of his critics
