Maryland leaders working to broker deal with D.C. to support RFK bill

Maryland’s leaders have "proposed a set of conditions that could greatly affect” the Commanders stadium search: If D.C. “gives their state one of its Air National Guard squadrons, they may support a bill allowing the District to redevelop the RFK Stadium site," according to sources cited by Cox, Fortier & Flynn of the WASHINGTON POST. The condition "add a new high-stakes layer” to negotiations in Congress over the future of the stadium site. If D.C. can redevelop the site, that would “offer it an advantage in convincing the team to leave Maryland." The two "completely unrelated issues crossed paths" when supporters of the RFK bill "lobbied top congressional leaders to attach that legislation to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act." The passage of the RFK bill would "not guarantee the team’s move," but its passage -- with or without concessions to Maryland -- would “clear a way for D.C. to finally launch on redevelopment plans.” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser could also "more formally negotiate with the Commanders." Sources said that Maryland’s two senators have “requested a public statement from the Commanders about their preferred location for the next stadium and assurances about what the team would build in place of Northwest Stadium.” A source said that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Commanders owner Josh Harris on Monday " went to Capitol Hill  and met with" Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Majority Leader-elect John Thune (R-S.D.). Sources also said that Maryland and the Commanders “planned to meet" Tuesday afternoon ( WASHINGTON POST, 12/3 ).

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