Copyright newsweek
President Donald Trump reportedly wants the new Washington Commanders football stadium to bear his name when it finishes construction, according to ESPN. In an emailed comment to Newsweek on Saturday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “That would surely be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible.” Newsweek reached out to the Washington Commanders by email outside of normal business hours on Saturday afternoon for comment. Why It Matters Trump has embraced sports during his second administration, using them as a showcase of patriotism heading into the nation’s 250th anniversary. He has attended several Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) matches, the NCAA Men’s Wrestling Championship, and he plans to host a series of sporting events next year to celebrate the nation’s birth. The news also comes ahead of Trump attending the Washington Commanders’ home game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday as part of a Veterans Day remembrance. Trump previously threatened to block the construction of the stadium unless the team reverted to its old name, the Washington Redskins, saying he would potentially “put a restriction on them.” Some groups have regarded the Commanders’ old name as offensive to Native Americans. The Washington Commanders run onto the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Northwest Stadium on November 2 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) What To Know The new $3.7 billion stadium will be built on the site of the old Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium where the team had previously played from 1961 to 1996, at which point the team moved to the Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in Summerfield, Maryland, which was later renamed Northwest Stadium, their current home. Returning to the site of the RFK Memorial Stadium in the capital’s Hill East neighborhood would see the team return to its “spiritual home.” Trump’s team has reached out through back-channel communications to the Commanders’ ownership group to make clear the president’s desire, with the senior source who first made ESPN aware of Trump’s plan telling the outlet that “it’s what the president wants, and it will probably happen.” Normally, a team would look to sell its naming rights to a corporate sponsor, but that process is not up to the team. The team can sell sponsorship rights, but the decision for a name would rest instead with the District of Columbia Council, which leases the stadium to the Commanders, and the National Park Service (NPS), which owns the land on which the stadium is built. Trump’s visit to watch the Commanders on Sunday will bring greater scrutiny to the topic and the relationship between the president and the team. What People Are Saying Commanders Team President Mark Clouse in a statement posted on social media: “We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country. The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families this Sunday.” What Happens Next? The Commanders’ new stadium will open in 2030 and have a capacity of 65,000 seats. The stadium will be covered by a dome and serve a mixed-use purpose.
