Biden Signs Legislation to Hand Over Control of RFK Stadium from Federal Government to D.C.
The local government is set to lease the land for a duration of 99 years, with the option for extension.
On January 6, President Joe Biden enacted a bill that facilitates the transfer of authority over Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium from the federal government to the District of Columbia. This development opens up the possibility for a new stadium for the National Football League’s Washington Commanders.
The legislation received overwhelming approval in the House back in February 2024, followed by its passage in the Senate last month.
This legislation stipulates that federal funds cannot be utilized in the process of transferring control over the 174-acre stadium campus; instead, the District of Columbia will shoulder all expenses associated with the transfer and must meet specific requirements, including conducting a boundary survey of the area.
The local government is poised to lease the land for 99 years, with provisions for extension.
This new law sets the stage for the potential demolition of the stadium, which has been closed since 2019 and is in a state of disrepair, allowing the Commanders to construct their new facility should they decide to relocate back to the nation’s capital, where they were based from 1961 to 1996.
Since 1996, the Commanders have played at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, but their lease is set to expire in 2027. The franchise has not disclosed where they will play after the lease ends. In addition to D.C., Virginia and Maryland remain viable options for the team’s next location.
Related Stories
They expressed enthusiasm about participating in discussions regarding potential future sites for the Washington Commanders.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser characterized the signing of the bill by Biden as “a great day” for the capital.
The initial proposal for the bill was included in a continuing resolution (CR) aimed at keeping the government funded at existing levels through March 14; however, it was removed from the final draft due to objections from President-elect Donald Trump and his ally, entrepreneur Elon Musk, concerning the overall CR.
Former Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) lifted their objections to the stadium legislation after a compromise was reached between Maryland and D.C. regarding the transfer of the D.C. Air National Guard’s 121st Fighter Squadron to the Maryland Air National Guard.
