The Washington Commanders are looking to be in their new home by 2027. The Commanders, who currently play at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, are deciding between three locations of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., for their next stadium.
The state of Virginia has a leg up to be Washington’s new home. Earlier this month, the Virginia House voted to advance a bill that would create a new stadium authority in Virginia.
But, nothing is official. Washington and Maryland both want to build a new stadium in their respective jurisdictions. And, with all of the controversy still circling owner Daniel Snyder, members of Congress introduced a new bill this week that would eliminate tax breaks for pro sports teams.
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) said the following in a statement, per John Keim of ESPN:
The NFL has proven once again that it can’t play by the rules. As such, taxpayers-subsidized municipal bonds should no longer be a reward for the Washington Commanders and other teams that continue to operate workplaces that are dens of sexual harassment and sexual abuse. It doesn’t make economic sense, and it’s particularly galling given the league’s longstanding failure to address issues of sexual harassment and sexual assault as well as on-going racial and gender discrimination and domestic violence.
Per Keim, the bill would eliminate the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds, which are used to finance professional stadiums.
The Commanders will need to pick a location soon so that construction can begin on a new stadium. All three options are intriguing, but returning to Washington is the choice of most fans.