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Commanders’ return to Washington clears another hurdle

AP photo by Jacquelyn Martin / Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, center, is passed a helmet to sign next to District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, right, after announcing a new home for the NFL team on the site of the old RFK Stadium on April 28.
AP photo by Jacquelyn Martin / Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, center, is passed a helmet to sign next to District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, right, after announcing a new home for the NFL team on the site of the old RFK Stadium on April 28. AP photo by Jacquelyn Martin / Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, center, is passed a helmet to sign next to District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, right, after announcing a new home for the NFL team on the site of the old RFK Stadium on April 28.

By NOAH TRISTER / The Associated Press 3 min read

WASHINGTON — The Washington Commanders’ hopes of returning to the site of their former home at RFK Stadium cleared a significant hurdle Friday, when the District of Columbia Council approved the legislation.

The bill advanced by a 9-3 vote, but it still must be approved a second time by the council before being sent to Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Bowser negotiated an initial plan with Commanders owner Josh Harris in April, with the NFL team contributing $2.7 billion and the city investing roughly $1.1 billion for the stadium, housing, green space and a sportsplex on land bordering the Anacostia River.

“We are one step closer to securing a sure path to transforming 180 acres of land, which has been our promise to D.C. residents all along,” Bowser said Friday.

The Commanders currently play at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, but aim to open a new venue in 2030.