STWF|WASHINGTON, D.C.|Nov. 9, 2025 — The Washington Commanders’ long-awaited return to their historic roots could come with an unexpected political twist. According to ESPN, President Donald Trump has expressed interest in having the franchise’s new domed stadium — set to open in 2030 on the site of the former RFK Stadium — named after him.

A senior White House official confirmed that informal discussions have taken place with members of Josh Harris’ ownership group regarding Trump’s wish to attach his name to the high-profile venue, which is expected to be one of the NFL’s most technologically advanced stadiums upon completion.

While no formal proposal has been made, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Friday that the President supports the idea.

“That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible,” Leavitt told ESPN via email.

A Political Twist to a Football Landmark

The proposed stadium — which will seat approximately 70,000 fans and feature a retractable roof — is planned for construction on federal land at the old RFK site, where Washington football reigned supreme from 1961 to 1996, winning three Super Bowls during its glory era.

Trump, who has long maintained an affinity for major sporting events and franchise owners, attended Sunday’s Commanders game against the Detroit Lions at FedExField as Harris’ guest. In a surprise on-air moment, the former President appeared briefly in the broadcast booth with Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma, discussing the team’s future and his potential involvement in the stadium project.

“I love football, and I love this city,” Trump told the FOX Sports crew. “We’re doing something special with this stadium. It’s going to be the best in the league. I’d love to have your job someday.”

Trump then returned to the stands, sitting behind bulletproof glass as fans in attendance chanted his name. Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown even paid homage, performing Trump’s signature dance during a touchdown celebration, drawing both applause and controversy online.

Who Controls the Naming Rights?

Despite Trump’s ambitions, the final decision on naming the Commanders’ future home does not rest solely with the team or its ownership group.

Under the terms of the stadium’s lease, the D.C. Council — which will rent the land to the Commanders — and the National Park Service, which oversees the federally owned property, would need to approve any naming decision involving a public figure.

“The team doesn’t have the authority to name the stadium on their own,” a source directly involved in the project told ESPN. “The city would be involved in that decision, and the Park Service would be involved as well.”

Corporate sponsorship remains the most likely path for the stadium’s naming rights, with early projections estimating a potential $25–30 million annual value for a long-term deal. However, Trump’s involvement — either symbolically or financially — could complicate the process given his polarizing political profile.

Trump and Washington Football’s Tumultuous History

This is not the first time Trump has weighed in on the Commanders’ affairs.

Back in July, the President publicly stated that he would oppose the stadium’s construction unless the franchise restored its former “Redskins” nickname, which was retired in 2020 under former owner Dan Snyder following years of controversy.

“They should bring the name back,” Trump said at the time. “That’s the name people love. That’s the name they grew up with.”

The team rebranded as the Washington Football Team before officially becoming the Commanders in 2022 — a move that remains divisive among fans. A vocal contingent of supporters continues to petition for the restoration of the old name, while others view the rebrand as a necessary evolution.

Harris’ new ownership group, which took control of the franchise in 2023, has focused on restoring the team’s image and reconnecting with its fan base after decades of dysfunction under Snyder. The new stadium project, located just two miles from Capitol Hill, represents the centerpiece of that revival.

A Full-Circle Moment for Washington Football

For many in the D.C. area, returning to the RFK site feels like a homecoming. The original stadium wasn’t just the heartbeat of Washington football; it was a symbol of the city’s golden sports era.

Beyond the NFL, RFK Stadium hosted World Cup matches in 1994, events during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and numerous concerts and community gatherings. Its demolition in 2023 paved the way for the new facility — one that aims to blend nostalgia with modernity.

But now, a simple question lingers: Will the new chapter of Washington football carry the name of a former U.S. president?

As one NFL executive told ESPN, “In Washington, everything is political — even football.”