Trump's Bid to Rename Washington Commanders' New Stadium: Insider's Perspective

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President Donald Trump is reportedly pushing for the Washington Commanders' new stadium to be named after him, according to ESPN sources. The $3.7 billion stadium, set to replace the old RFK Stadium, has been a long-time goal for the team. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently hinted at the possibility, stating that Trump's efforts to rebuild the stadium were 'beautiful.' However, the decision ultimately lies with the District of Columbia Council and the National Park Service, which will lease the stadium to the Commanders. A senior White House source revealed that Trump has been in back-channel communications with the team's ownership group, led by Josh Harris, regarding the naming rights. The source claimed that Trump is not looking to buy the name or have a sponsor do so, but rather wishes for the stadium to be named after him as a tribute. This would be similar to Lambeau Field, which honors the team's founder. The Commanders are expected to discuss the naming rights with Trump when he attends their game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. However, the team's ownership group has not yet responded to the proposal. The new stadium is set to open in 2030, and the team currently plays at the Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. It's worth noting that Trump had previously threatened to block the construction of the stadium if the team did not change its name back to 'Redskins,' which was deemed offensive by some Native American groups. The team has since opted for the name 'Commanders.'