The president is pushing for the new stadium for the Washington Commanders, located outside of Washington, D.C., to be named in his honor.
The White House has mostly confirmed this information, as reported by ESPN. The team is reportedly interested in the proposal as it moves forward with construction at the former site of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Southeast D.C.
“It’s a great name, as President Trump was instrumental in making the new stadium a reality,” said White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt to the Post on Saturday.
While the White House didn’t clarify if naming the stadium is a condition for ongoing support, an official bluntly stated to ESPN, “That’s what the president wants, and it probably will be.”
As the weekend kicks off, President Trump is set to spend some time at Mar-a-Lago before attending the Commanders’ game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
During the game, he will take part in a special Veterans Day event at halftime and will be watching from owner Josh Harris’ luxury box.
History has shown that naming rights for stadiums can be lucrative, often commanding millions annually. For example, the Northwest Federal Credit Union secured a naming deal worth $7.5 million each year for eight years after the expiration of the previous FedEx naming agreement.
This new stadium will be located in Landover, Maryland, just outside D.C., with the contract with the team set to last until 2027. It is part of an extensive commercial development, with completion expected by 2030.
Earlier, Trump had threatened to withhold the contract unless the team reverted its name back to its former title. The team had shifted from the Washington Redskins name in 2020 to become the Commanders after facing significant pressure.
“If they don’t change the name back to the ‘Washington Redskins’ and drop the absurd name ‘Washington Commanders,’ I may not allow them to finalize a stadium contract in Washington,” Trump stated on Truth Social, although he didn’t act on that threat.
Naming a stadium in D.C. can be complex due to various bureaucratic layers. While the stadium is on land overseen by the National Park Service, the D.C. City Council must also vote on any naming arrangement due to a long-term lease. A bill signed by former President Joe Biden earlier has shifted control of the land from the federal government to the city for a period of 99 years.
In September, the D.C. City Council greenlighted plans for a $3.7 billion, 65,000-seat domed stadium. The Commanders played at RFK Stadium from 1961 until 1996. The site is adjacent to both the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument, evoking memories of the team’s glory days.
Currently, Trump is overseeing the construction of a new White House ballroom following the demolition of the East Wing and sold the Trump International Hotel in Washington in 2022. He has a history of associating his name with buildings and recently discussed launching TrumpRX, a portal offering discounted rates on weight-loss medications.
