Washington commanders have been considering an exit from FedEx Field for years, and a new report says they’ve started to put things in motion. Commanders have paid more than $100 million for land in Prince William County, Va., according to ESPN, that could serve as the site for a new stadium and more.
John Keim reports that the Commanders purchase was for 200 acres. A source has told Keim that this ground is the preferred site for a new stadium, but other options remain open and nothing has been decided yet. By JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washingtonthe land is located in Woodbridge, Va., about 22 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. Keim also mentions that commanders could purchase an additional 65-70 acres in Dumfries, Va., which is further south on the I -95.
So why did the commanders choose this land? The Washington NFL franchise would love this location because of the things they can build outside of a new stadium. We are talking about retail stores, restaurants and even apartments.
“According to a source, their plans include a 60,000-seat domed stadium — so it can be used year-round — as well as: the team’s training facility; an amphitheater that can accommodate between 15,000 and 20,000 seats a small indoor music arena high-end retail stores bars and restaurants and residences The roof would be translucent and the facade of the stadium could change color: it would be white during the day and, for example, burgundy at night.
Creativity in this business is something that team owner Dan Snyder and team president Jason Wright have spoken about. In 2016, Washington even created a model for a new stadium that featured a legitimate gap for kayaking and tailgating purposes!
“We take inspiration from everywhere,” Wright said a year ago. “If we’re going to do something that our fans really deserve, that’s cutting edge and innovative, we have to incorporate all of these ideas… We can be creative.”
Money is an obvious issue when it comes to a new stadium, and according to Keim, how the project will be paid for is something that needs to be decided before commanders can even commit to a location. Commanders returning to DC or staying in Maryland are also the two options. Washington’s playing contract at FedEx Field is set to expire in 2026.
