There is a new twist in Washington. President Donald Trump reportedly wants the upcoming stadium for the Washington Commanders to carry his name. The project is already massive and expensive, but Trump seems determined to make it all about him.
A senior White House source told ESPN, “It’s what the president wants, and it will probably happen.” The stadium is set to rise where RFK Stadium once stood, along the Anacostia River. With a planned capacity of 65,000 and a price tag of $3.7 billion, it is already a huge project. Trump, however, wants it to be his project too.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told ESPN, “That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible.” The statement reflects Trump’s typical style: taking credit for projects while leaving the details to others.
Trump plans to attend the Commanders’ game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He is expected to join halftime activities honoring military veterans. Josh Harris, the team’s billionaire owner, will host him.
But getting his name on the stadium is not as simple as showing up. The team alone cannot decide the name. The DC Council and the National Park Service, which manages the land, would need to approve any naming decision. “The team doesn’t have the authority. They can’t name the stadium … on their own,” an unnamed source told ESPN.
Most NFL stadiums are named for corporations, often for hundreds of millions of dollars. Trump, however, reportedly does not want a corporate sponsor involved. A source familiar with his plans said, “He has cards to play. He can make it very difficult, through government environmental approvals and other things, to make sure everyone who wants this stadium to be built will join to put his name on it. Trump has plenty of cards to play to get his way.”
This is not the first time Trump has tried to interfere with the team. In July, he threatened to block construction unless the Commanders changed their name back to the Redskins. The team had already changed its name in 2020 due to criticism over racial insensitivity. Despite Trump’s pressure, the franchise has kept the Commanders name.
The stadium is already controversial. Building a $3.7 billion sports arena on federal land is a major undertaking. Add in a president trying to force his name on it, and it becomes a story about power, ego, and influence more than about football.
Even with approvals and government processes in play, Trump’s involvement ensures the story will not be quiet or simple. The DC Council and National Park Service will need to weigh public opinion, federal rules, and political pressure.
Featured image via Grok AI
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