July 15 — so, tomorrow — is the last day for the DC Council to approve the new RFK Stadium deal. Or at least, that's what Mayor Bowser and the Commanders say. But the council has confirmed that they won't be deciding anything by tomorrow, and the power struggle doesn’t look like it's ending anytime soon. Here’s the latest.
In Case You Missed It
This spring, Mayor Bowser and Commanders team owner Josh Harris reached a $3.7B deal to revive RFK stadium campus, including $1.1B put forward by D.C. taxpayers. The plans include a state-of-the-art facility, as well as a new surrounding neighborhood, all by 2030.
The team and the mayor pushed the D.C. Council hard to pass the deal by July 15, saying any later would delay the plan significantly, reopen negotiations for the team to settle elsewhere, and ruin D.C.’s chances of hosting the 2031 women’s World Cup and the 2031 men’s Rugby World Cup.
Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announce the RFK Stadium deal. (The Washington Post/Getty Images)
What’s the Hold Up
Councilmembers have said all along that the mid-July timeline is too rushed and that they need more time to properly analyze how the deal would impact D.C.’s economy and neighborhoods. While Chairman Phil Mendelson has indicated that it will pass, he said the council is waiting on three outside studies before suggesting amendments and advancing the deal.
How Trump Could Force The RFK Deal
Last week, President Trump indicated that he could step in to “help [the team]” if D.C. Council doesn’t approve the RFK Stadium bill. But he also said that he knows the DC Council is considering it and “should take their time to do that.”
Regardless of the president's intentions, the Commanders have used his comments to hurry along the vote, saying they need to move fast to avoid any potential volatility and federal involvement.
What’s Next?
The D.C. Council is unlikely to vote on the full legislation before mid-September as they are on recess from Aug. 1 through Sept. 15. The vote has not been scheduled yet.
