On Feb. 2, a new name was announced and this week, the talk has been a new stadium location for the Washington Commanders.
The current stadium FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, has been the site for home Washington NFL football games since the 1997 season. Previously, the franchise played their homes games in the city beginning in 1961, until the final home game December 22, 1996.
Three sites have been identified as potential sites for a new stadium, to be the Commander’s home:
STERLING, VA 35 miles from RFK
Yes, it would increase traffic drastically on game days to an area already full of traffic, due primarily to Dulles airport access. The closer proximity to Dulles would be much closer to the Commanders facilities in Ashburn, benefitting the team.
WOODBRIDGE, VA 27 miles from RFK
This would not be easiest for the team, but still easier for the team than the current track from Ashburn to Landover each home game weekend. Another plus is it would avoid the Dulles Airport traffic.
DUMFRIES, VA 35 miles from RFK
See Woodbridge above
Reese Waters (WUSA9) gave an animated presentation attempting to persuade that it is the fans living in DC who have supported the team for the last 30 years of mediocrity. Yet, what actual data did Waters cite supporting such a claim? Does he know how many season ticket holders actually reside in the District, Maryland, or Virginia?
Another obstacle proposed against Virginia sites is the terrible traffic. Yes, the traffic will be terrible in each of the new sites proposed. Yet, excuse me, but when Washington was drawing more fans, wasn’t the traffic to and from FedEx Field also always horrible? The stories of the frustrating experiences fans have endured attempting to get to and from FedEx Field are voluminous, are they not?
Reading Twitter you would think a severe injustice was being perpetrated upon Commanders fans living in the District and Maryland. Yet, how do they easily completely overlook that the faithful fans from the Winchester, Front Royal area have driven across the mountain, across the city into Maryland for the last 25 years? Additionally, how is it any further a drive for fans to drive west than those who have driven east for years?
Further, where is the most money in the DMV? Is it not in northern Virginia? Perhaps most of the season tickets are actually from those residing in Northern Virginia? If you owned a business wouldn’t it be wisest for you to locate your business where fans with available funds can easily support your business?
Where ever the stadium will be located it will be advantageous to some and not advantageous to others. No doubt there will always be some angry and upset, others happy and pleased.