Staff Reports
The saga surrounding the redevelopment of the old Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C. just took an expected turn as the owner of the Washington Commanders, Josh Harris, has officially thrown in the towel for any imminent progress. Although the House managed to push the bill forward back in February like a underdog team making a last-minute comeback, it has since hit a wall in the Senate, where even the whispers of an agreement are more rare than good coffee in the breakroom of a government office.
At the center of this stalled legislation is Senator Steve Daines from Montana, who has become the unexpected roadblock. It seems he’s determined to honor the team’s bygone logo, which is inspired by Native American heritage and crafted by Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, a proud member of the Blackfeet Nation. But let’s face it—when lawmakers start debating the merits of logos over pressing national issues, it feels like they’ve taken a wrong turn on the highway of governance. Harris is left waiting, and the spirit of the Commanders is being tested here more than in any post-game locker room pep talk.
During a press conference before the team’s final preseason game, Harris didn’t mince words. He expressed that any hope for the bill’s movement has been tossed aside as politicians scramble to find their election footing. It’s as if the entire Senate has become a game of musical chairs, where no one wants to sit down until after the votes are counted. With a newfound focus on getting re-elected, it appears that important discussions about stadium redevelopments will take a backseat. It is clear that lawmakers may care about winning elections more than they care about the future of the Commanders.
Washington Examiner: Commanders owner not expecting progress on DC stadium bill until after election https://t.co/1ThM8Rhz3d
— Ian’s Newsfeed 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHNewsFeed) August 26, 2024
Looking ahead past the deluge of election drama, Harris voiced the hope that the bill could still see the light of day in the frustratingly dubbed “lame-duck” session. His ambitions for a new stadium by 2030 are as optimistic as a fan anticipating a miracle season from a team that’s historically let them down. Whether that new stadium is established in Maryland, Washington, or Virginia remains as unclear as the last-minute calls made during an NFL game.
This situation brings to light the broader implications for the Washington sports scene. Without a new stadium for the Commanders, fans are left anxiously biting their nails, while dreams of all four major league teams playing within D.C. seem to dangle precariously. If the Senate ever takes action on this bill, President Joe Biden’s signature would be the final hurdle. But with the clock ticking down to the end of the current Congress, the fate of this proposal seems as uncertain as a coin toss at the start of a game. As the pundits say, stay tuned—this political game is far from over.
