Residents of Washington, D.C., and its surrounding areas largely favor the Washington Commanders relocating back to the district, with increasing support for public funding for a new stadium.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) has announced his intention to block House-approved legislation to revitalize RFK Stadium unless the team pays tribute to a Native American family that contributed to the design of the Commanders’ former logo.
A new Washington Post-Schar School poll revealed that 76% of district residents support the team’s move back, with 51% of overall DMV area residents in agreement. Suburban Maryland residents even prefer the move over keeping the team in Maryland, its home since 1997.
“Folks were never particularly happy with this huge edifice out in the middle of nowhere Maryland,” stated Terry Clower, director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, in a comment. “There are enough folks that also realize that having your central city be … the default for your big entertainment complexes is probably better than having them distributed out throughout a metropolitan area.”
The number of Washington residents in favor of using city funds for a potential stadium has increased since a 2022 poll iteration. Residents are now split 47% to 46%, compared to 30% in favor and 67% against two years ago.
Clower suggested that the change in ownership from Daniel Snyder, whose tenure ended with a sexual harassment scandal among other issues, to Josh Harris may have influenced residents’ changing attitudes.
Mayor Muriel Bowser supports the move but advocates for a multiuse complex at the site of the now-abandoned RFK Stadium. The Commanders are contracted to play at their current Landover, Maryland, stadium until September 2027.
RFK Stadium appears to be the most logical site for the potential move, but Daines has obstructed the legislation necessary for the transition. Talks between the senator and the team are underway to schedule their first meeting to discuss the matter.
The Commanders, formerly the Washington Redskins, played at RFK Stadium in the district from 1961 to 1996, making 13 playoff appearances during that period. Since the move, the team has reached the playoffs only six times.
