Wednesday was expected to be a critical day in the future of the Washington Commanders. The Virginia legislature was slated to vote on the bill that would give the NFL franchise $300 million toward a new football stadium in the Commonwealth.
Virginia lawmakers decided on Tuesday to delay the vote and focus on the state budget and other important measures, while the stadium bills will not come to the floor.
On Sunday, Virginia Senator Jeremy McPike, a Democrat representing Prince William County, was on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C., and told Ben Standig that he believed the stadium bill would be delayed.
McPike gave a date of June 17 when legislators reconvene in Richmond.
Va. State Senator @JeremyMcPike, one of those now voting “no” on the stadium bill, told me Sunday on @1067theFan that he believes “this bill will be delayed” until legislators reconvene in Richmond on June 17. That is the last day the House of Delegates sits together for months. https://t.co/YwxeMmzMxB
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 31, 2022
McPike was one of three Senators who went on Washington, D.C. radio stations last week and acknowledged they would be voting “no” on the stadium bills. Chap Petersen, a former Washington fan and previous supporter of the bill, also said he would be flipping his vote to “no.”
Petersen represents Fairfax and is a former season ticket holder.
Senator Barbara Favola, Democrat from Arlington, also said she would be voting “no,” acknowledging the presence of Commanders owner Daniel Snyder was a problem for many of her colleagues.
There has been a dramatic shift in support since January, when the stadium bill had overwhelming bipartisan support. Now, another delay could allow more Virginia lawmakers to change their minds.
However, Washington team president Jason Wright saw the delay as an opportunity.
“We are grateful for the bipartisan support the stadium authority legislation has already received, and any additional time will certainly provide us with more opportunities to share how this project can create new jobs, generate significant tax revenue, and spur economic development for surrounding communities and the Commonwealth as a whole,” Wright said per Eric Flack of WUSA 9 in Washington.
Now, June 17 becomes a pivotal day for the Washington Commanders.