LANDOVER, Md. (DC News Now) — Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Washington Commanders team owner Josh Harris have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), ensuring the team is responsible for developing the Northwest Stadium site if the team leaves the state.
The document, released Monday, comes after a surprise vote by the Senate early Saturday morning, giving the District control to develop the old RFK stadium site.
That site was the home of the Commanders until 1997 when the team moved to its current location in Landover.
The vote is a major victory for the District to lure the team back to D.C.
In a statement Saturday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser applauded the vote.
“As a city, we have worked for years toward the opportunity to transform a vacant, blighted sea of asphalt in the heart of DC and to put the RFK campus back to productive use,” she said.
Meanwhile, Moore said he’s confident the best place for the team is where it’s currently at.
“Our position on the stadium hasn’t changed. We are not afraid of competition, and we believe that we can continue to build on decades of partnership with the team here in Maryland,” he said. “We are confident that Landover is still the best path to a new stadium for the Washington Commanders.”
Despite that, the newly signed MOU is a way for the state and Prince George’s County to protect itself if the team relocates.
“We are focused on making sure that Landover receives the investment it deserves,” said Moore. “While the stadium location is still an open question, the Commanders and the state of Maryland both agree on the importance of the team’s commitment to the Prince George’s community if the team decides to move.”
According to the MOU, the team will be responsible for demolishing and cleaning the old stadium site if the team decides to relocate. That demolition must happen within 90 days of the first NFL game at the team’s new home.
The team would also be required to collaborate with state, local and other agencies to “transform the Stadium Site into a vibrant mixed-use development.”
Fans have mixed feelings on the possibility of the team leaving Landover.
“When we think about taking money out of the community, I’m never a proponent of that because there are always casualties of that as well,” said Kimberly Smith Blocker, who lives nearby the stadium. “I think definitely I’m for keeping them here. There are so many positives to that.”
Her husband had a different opinion.
“From a nostalgic point, move it to D.C. That prospect of it, yeah move it back to D.C.,” said Ron Blocker. “Plus they are called the Washington Commanders.”
If the team does leave Prince George’s County, Kimberly said it’s important there’s a concrete plan for the Landover stadium site.
“I don’t want to hear another thing about a plan. I want to hear, ‘What’s the tangibility? What are you actually going to do, what are the plans you’re going to put forward for that?’” she said.
It’s unclear what the team will decide to do.
But, over the weekend team owner Josh Harris said he’s grateful for the bipartisan vote giving D.C. control of the RFK stadium site.
“This bill will create an equal playing field so that all potential future locations for the home of the Washington Commanders can be fairly considered and give our franchise the opportunity to provide the best experience for all of our fans,” said Harris.
The Commanders’ lease at Northwest Stadium runs through 2027.
