Commanders' DC stadium hopes take step forward amid Trump's nickname pressure

President Donald Trump made a "controversial" statement about the NFL, saying that he wouldn't have changed Washington's name from Redskins to Commanders.

The Washington Commanders’ pursuit of a playing field at the old RFK Stadium site in D.C. took a major step forward on Friday as President Donald Trump put pressure on the organization over its team nickname.

The D.C. Council approved the bill by a vote of 9-3. But the legislation must be approved a second time by the council before being sent to Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, who helped the Commanders execute the plan earlier this year. The second vote will come on Sept. 17.

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FILE - Washington Commanders controlling owner Josh Harris, center, is passed a helmet to sign next to District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, right, after announcing a new home for the NFL football team on the site of the old RFK Stadium, Monday, April 28, 2025, at the National Press Club in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Bowser, team owner Josh Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced it reached an agreement with D.C. officials on the old RFK Stadium site back in April. The three then joined Trump in the Oval Office for a celebration after that.

The approved proposal would support a $3.7 billion redevelopment project, featuring the new stadium, 6,000 housing units a retail space and parkland. The nation’s capital will also host an upcoming NFL Draft on the National Mall in 2027.

"Today’s approval by the Council is transformational for D.C. and brings the Commanders back to our spiritual home, Harris said in a statement. "Like many fans, RFK was the site of memories that fueled my love for this team and this city.