Washington Commanders spend $100 million on Virginia land for potential new stadium site, per report

The Washington Commanders have been eyeing an exit from FedEx Discipline for years, and a brand new report signifies they’ve began to place issues in movement. The Commanders paid greater than $100 million for land in Prince William County, Virginia, in keeping with ESPN, that would function the positioning for a brand new stadium and extra.

John Keim reviews that the Commanders’ buy was for 200 acres. A supply instructed Keim that this land is the popular website for a brand new stadium, however different choices stay open and nothing has been determined but. Per JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington, the land is situated in Woodbridge, Virginia, about 22 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. Keim additionally mentions that the Commanders might buy one other 65 to 70 acres in neighboring Dumfries, Virginia, which is additional south down I-95.

So why did the Commanders select this land? Washington’s NFL franchise reportedly likes this spot due to the issues it will probably construct other than a brand new stadium. We’re speaking about retail outlets, eating places and even residences.

“In response to a supply, their plans embrace a 60,000-seat domed stadium — so it may be used all year long — in addition to: the group’s observe facility; an amphitheater that seats between 15,000 and 20,000; a small indoor music area; high-end retail outlets; bars and eating places and residential dwelling. The roof could be translucent and the stadium’s facade might change colours — it might be white in the course of the day and, for instance, burgundy at evening.”

Creativity on this enterprise is one thing each group proprietor Dan Snyder and group president Jason Wright have spoken about. Again in 2016, Washington even created a mannequin for a brand new stadium that featured a authentic moat for kayaking and tailgating functions! 

“We’re taking inspiration from in all places,” Wright mentioned one yr in the past. “If we’re gonna do one thing that our followers actually deserve, which is cutting-edge and progressive, we gotta absorb all these concepts … We may be artistic.”

Cash is an apparent situation in relation to a brand new stadium, and in keeping with Keim, how the venture will likely be paid for is one thing that needs to be determined earlier than the Commanders may even decide to a location. The Commanders returning to D.C. or remaining in Maryland are each choices as effectively. Washington’s taking part in contract at FedEx Discipline is ready to run out in 2026.