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WASHINGTON — Mayor Muriel Bowser of the District of Columbia addressed recent misinformation propagated by Elon Musk regarding Congress’ end-of-year spending bill and its implications for a potential new stadium for the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
Incorrect claims on Musk-owned platform X suggested that the spending bill included $3 billion earmarked specifically for a new football stadium. However, the bill has faced significant criticism from various figures, including Musk and President-Elect Donald Trump. It primarily outlines a plan to transfer control of the RFK Stadium site from the federal government to the District for a period of 99 years.
This transfer is crucial for the Commanders’ aspirations of constructing a new stadium at their former location. The team is also exploring other sites across the District, Maryland, and Virginia as potential options.
“It was claimed that the continuing resolution contains $3 billion for a stadium,” Bowser remarked. “That is entirely incorrect. There are no federal funds associated with the RFK transfer, and the legislation does not impose any requirements or ties to a new stadium. Our focus is on how the District can invest in revitalizing this area.”
Musk shared a misleading report regarding the supposed $3 billion allocation, asserting, “This should not be funded by your tax dollars!”
Bowser made her remarks while celebrating the commencement of an $800 million renovation project for Capital One Arena, home to the NHL’s Capitals and NBA’s Wizards. She participated in a ceremony to mark the beginning of renovations alongside Ted Leonsis, the president and CEO of Monumental Sports, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and others. The successful retention of the teams in D.C. after a previous plan for relocation to Virginia was abandoned has been viewed as a significant win for Bowser and the city’s sports community.
“What a difference a year makes,” commented Brooke Pinto, a councilmember from Ward 2, during the unveiling of the arena’s future design, set for completion by fall 2027. “Thank you, Ted Leonsis, for your continued faith in this city.”
Leonsis described the occasion as a historic moment for both the District and his organization. The renovation project involves $515 million in public funding, positioned as a crucial component of the agreement that ensures the Capitals and Wizards remain in D.C., while the remainder of the funding will come from Monumental.
“As construction progresses, expect to see plenty of signs that say, ‘Please excuse our dust,’” Leonsis explained. “This is an enormous undertaking that will likely span three seasons and cost $800 million. It’s a significant program, but the resulting improvements for players, fans, and the city will make the wait worthwhile.”
The Commanders have sought a new stadium site for several years, particularly since the acquisition of the team by a group led by Josh Harris for a record $6.05 billion in the summer of 2023. Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell lobbied federal lawmakers earlier in the month, positioning the RFK land provision within the spending bill as a significant achievement for the franchise and the league.
Bowser expressed concerns that if the RFK provision does not find a place in the spending bill, the future of the legislation would be uncertain in this session, especially given its bipartisan context aimed at averting a government shutdown and securing disaster relief funding.
“We’ve completed all necessary steps, and this is the proposed vehicle—one that has gained support from both Democrats and Republicans,” Bowser noted. “Have you been to RFK? It occupies 177 acres of asphalt and a derelict stadium that has sat unused for a decade, creating a blight in our nation’s capital. I share the president-elect’s aspiration: we aim to make our capital the most beautiful in the world, which necessitates action on RFK.”
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abcnews.go.com