Confusion arose this week over the potential for a new Washington Commanders stadium in the District of Columbia after Elon Musk tweeted misinformation about federal funding. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser quickly corrected the record, stating that the spending bill before Congress does not allocate any taxpayer money for stadium construction.
Mayor Bowser Clarifies Stadium Situation
At a press conference on Thursday, Mayor Bowser addressed the circulating falsehoods head-on. She emphasized that the continuing resolution bill would simply transfer control of the RFK Stadium land from Congress to DC – it does not guarantee or require a new Commanders stadium to be built there.
“It was stated that the CR contains $3 billion for a stadium. All wrong. There are no federal dollars related to the transfer of RFK, and in fact the legislation does not require or link at all to a stadium.”
– DC Mayor Muriel Bowser
The mayor went on to explain that the city currently has a lease on the RFK land for another 14 years, but that short timeframe has prevented them from securing funding to redevelop the site. Transferring the land to DC’s control under a 99-year lease would open up possibilities to revitalize the area, with or without a stadium.
Musk Spreads Stadium Misinformation
The need for Mayor Bowser’s clarification stemmed from an inaccurate tweet by Elon Musk criticizing the spending bill. Musk claimed the bill contained “$3 billion for a stadium” that “should not be funded by your tax dollars.”
In reality, the bill includes no federal funding for a Commanders stadium. It would simply allow, but not require, the team to potentially finance its own stadium on the RFK site in the future if a deal is reached with the city.
Implications for Commanders’ Future
If the spending bill passes with the RFK land transfer included, it would boost the chances of the Commanders returning to their historic DC home. The team played at RFK Stadium from 1961-1996, a span that included five Super Bowl appearances and three championships.
New Commanders owner Josh Harris has expressed a preference for moving the team back into the District from their current home at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. However, he has set a loose target of opening a new stadium by 2030, with or without the RFK site.
- The RFK location is seen as the top choice for a potential new Commanders stadium in DC
- If the spending bill fails or excludes the land transfer, the team’s chances of returning to the District would diminish significantly
Ultimately, Mayor Bowser wanted to set the record straight that the decision before Congress is about enabling the city to revitalize a significant site, regardless of whether a football stadium is eventually part of those plans. The Commanders’ future home remains a separate matter to be determined.
