‘So Many Hurdles' Delay Timeline for New Commanders Stadium, Jason Wright Says

‘So many hurdles’ delay timeline for new stadium, Wright says originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

One day after the rebranding to Commanders became official, the Washington NFL franchise now has its eyes on plans for a new stadium.

Team president Jason Wright spoke Wednesday at the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. and provided some insight into new building plans, noting that there are hurdles to overcome before things can be set in motion, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.

"There are sooooo many hurdles to go until we have a definitive timeline," Wright said.

Wright’s new comments come just one day after he said the team would move out of FedEx Field and into a new stadium by 2027.

“We will be in a new venue in 2027. That's about the only timeline I can give you,” Wright told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Now that a name change has been completed, a new stadium is one of the biggest long-term projects the Commanders must undertake. Wright also noted that FedEx Field, the team’s home since RFK Stadium closed in 1997, has given fans the best experience they’ve had in years, per John Keim.

That statement follows a year that saw busted water pipes (which happened twice), falling railings, commute issues and parking stress have marred the stadium. An unwelcoming home stadium could be one reason why Washington had the lowest attendance percentage of all 32 NFL teams in 2021.

The location of the Commanders’ new stadium has been a hot topic in the nation’s capital over the last few years. D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted her support of a new stadium being built within the city limits rather than in Maryland or Virginia.

Regarding the location of new digs for the Commanders, Wright specifically noted economic development in the area would be a chief concern, and that ideally, the venue would host ‘100 events a year’ and not just the eight or nine Commanders home games.

FedEx’s stadium contract expires in 2027. While the Commanders were in ‘serious’ talks to build a new venue in Virginia last month, nothing is definitive and the new stadium’s location and development will all take years to come to fruition. 

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