Joe Biden signs RFK Stadium bill, paving way for potential new NFL arena

President Biden signed legislation Monday granting administrative control of the RFK Stadium site in the District to city officials, potentially paving the way for a new NFL arena at the long-deteriorating site.

The Senate passed the bill last month after lengthy negotiations.

The proposal was initially part of a government funding bill, but was withdrawn following concerns from Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the heads of the new Department of Government Efficiency. It was passed as a standalone bill, at the last minute.

“This is a good day for DC where we finally have control of our own destiny on the RFK campus,” DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said Monday. “We are ready and optimistic about unlocking the full potential of this space. »

Federal law does not guarantee that the Washington Commanders will return to the District after playing their home games in neighboring Landover since 1997. It does, however, allow city officials to demolish the rusty old stadium and build new developments.

“With over 170 acres of land, we can do it all: provide housing, economic opportunity, green space, recreation, sports and much more,” Bowser said.

The bill received broad support from local leaders who have long demanded control of the site. Even those concerned about a new stadium – like Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Ebony Payne – have advocated for the legislation.

“It’s very important that the city has control of the land, but there’s a lot of concern,” Ms. Payne, who lives in the Kingman Park neighborhood surrounding the site, said last month.

Commanders owner Josh Harris said he wants to open a new stadium before the 2030 NFL season. But the team is playing the field and is considering options in the District, Maryland and Virginia.

“This bill will create a level playing field so that all potential future Washington Commanders home locations can be fairly considered and will give our franchise the opportunity to provide the best experience for all of our fans,” Mr. Harris said in a statement. statement last month.

Although the franchise is noncommittal about its new home, the RFK site boasts undeniable nostalgia for longtime fans.

The team won all three of its Super Bowls playing its home games in the District.

They have won just one playoff game at the new Northwest Stadium since dropping out of district more than 25 years ago.

With local control of the site in hand, the next step in attracting commanders to Washington, D.C., would require Ms. Bowser to convince the city council to support a stadium. Some local politicians, including Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen, oppose the idea.

“I don’t think it’s a good return on investment,” Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen said on 106.7 The Fan’s “Grant and Danny” last month. “So if DC residents ask me if I think I should spend hundreds of millions of dollars on an NFL stadium that has no return on investment, I don’t think that’s a good deal for D.C.”