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With efforts underway to build an updated Washington Commanders football stadium at the old RFK site in D.C., President Donald Trump allegedly wants the new facility named after himself, according to an ESPN report that broke Saturday. Trump administration officials and a member of the Commanders’ ownership group have been engaged in backchannel discussions on the matter, a senior White House source told ESPN. “That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote in a statement to ESPN. The sports outlet says she declined to answer additional questions, but added, “It’s what the president wants, and it will probably happen.” A Commanders spokesperson declined comment. Trump is scheduled to attend the Commanders’ home game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday; a team source told ESPN that while stakeholders expect to have conversations with Trump about the stadium name at the game, no formal discussions have taken place so far. The Commanders do own the new stadium’s naming rights, presumably to be sold to a corporate sponsor. The final call will likely be made by the D.C. Council, which will lease the stadium to the Commanders, and the National Park Service, which manages the land on which the facility will be built. The new stadium was first teased in April by Mayor Muriel Bowser and Commanders owner Josh Harris. Back in July, Trump said he would block the construction of the stadium if Harris did not change the team name from Commanders back to its former Redskins moniker. Regardless, in September, the stadium was officially approved with an 11-2 Council vote. It’s slated to be finished in 2030. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
