Donald Trump is apparently lobbying for the new Washington Commanders stadium to have his name on it. This initiative comes as part of the team’s plans for a $3.7 billion venue set to rise on the site of the former RFK Stadium, which served as the home for Washington’s NFL team from 1961 to 1996.
The former president has been working to get the naming proposal approved through backdoor conversations with the Commanders’ ownership since taking office. Concurrently, he is working with various levels of government that must ultimately approve the project. The new stadium will seat 65,000 fans and include a beautiful, retractable dome. It’s scheduled to begin service in 2030 as the anchor of a massive 174-acre mixed-use development, with housing, retail, and a new sports complex.
This would put the total Washington Commanders investment into the stadium at approximately $2.7 billion. The additional $1 billion will come from the local district government, which includes the city and surrounding area. As many may not know, Trump has had a deeper and longer engagement with the discussion surrounding the Commanders. He has publicly advocated for the team to retake its old nickname the Redskins, which the team retired in 2020 under heavy pressure and controversy.
Aside from his prospective naming rights exercise, Trump is expected to be a guest at an upcoming Commanders home game. He’ll take part in military appreciation ceremonies at halftime, further cementing his brand’s association with the franchise’s often militaristic endeavors.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt gushed, “It would be a beautiful name.” She stressed that President Trump was instrumental in making sure the new stadium was rebuilt.
We are seeing deep enthusiasm for this proposal. According to multiple reports, the team will not be left to choose the stadium’s name on their own. One source with direct knowledge of the process said that the team doesn’t have the legal authority. They do not have the ability to independently name the stadium.
Underlining Trump’s influence, another source noted, “He has cards to play,” suggesting that his political connections could sway decision-making regarding the stadium’s naming rights.
The impending new stadium would represent a huge turning point for the Washington Commanders. It assists them in continuing to solidify returning to the region and engaging with their fan base in meaningful ways.