August 26, 2024

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The Commanders are still chasing a new stadium. Owner Josh Harris has his sights set on 2030, but political red tape and zoning issues could make it a long wait. We break down what it all means.

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]], and Colin Salao [[link removed]]

Commanders Eye 2030 for New Stadium, but RFK Site Still in Limbo [[link removed]]

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Commanders are still actively pursuing a new stadium, but a lot more patience is going to be required from both the team’s leadership and the fan base.

Speaking on Sunday before the team’s final preseason game, Commanders owner Josh Harris (above) said 2030 is now a “realistic target” for a new facility to open. The team is currently tied to Commanders Field (previously known as FedEx Field) through at least 2027. But additional time is certainly going to be required to settle where a new facility will be located, going through numerous initial steps, and then a construction period lasting at least two years.

“There’s political things that need to occur. There’s land zoning, a whole lot of other things,” Harris said. “A lot of it’s not within our control, so there’s no way to predict a specific date. But I think that’s a reasonable target.”

Among the key pieces out of the team’s control is whether the U.S. Senate will at last approve a bill giving greater control of the federally owned RFK Stadium site to the District of Columbia. The House of Representatives approved the measure in February, but it has been stalled since then. As Harris continues efforts to bring the Commanders out from the prior, embattled Dan Snyder era [[link removed]], he does not expect the RFK Stadium bill to be revisited by the Senate until after the presidential election in November.

“Everybody’s focused on the election,” Harris said. “So, this is the kind of thing that would have to be part of a series of bills that would go through in the lame duck session. It’s not really realistic to think that’s going to happen before the election.”

The Commanders are part of a group of NFL teams currently looking to develop new stadiums or renovate their current facilities but haven’t yet struck finalized deals, including the Bears [[link removed]], Chiefs [[link removed]], and Browns [[link removed]]. In addition to the D.C. conversation centered on the RFK Stadium site, the team continues to be in conversation with officials in Maryland and Virginia.

No Return to the Old Name

Even as the team might return to its prior site at RFK Stadium, the previous “R” name and logo for the team are not coming back, despite efforts in some corners to revive it [[link removed]]. There have been other, less controversial moves to honor the team’s heritage, including a return of gold uniform pants.

“We’ve been very clear. For obvious reasons, the old name can’t come back,” Harris said. “Right now, we’re focused on things that unify around our football team. … We need everyone supporting the team and not things that might drive people apart.”

Draft Aspirations

Harris, meanwhile, reiterated that he is pursuing hosting rights to a future NFL draft, which has become a blockbuster fan event on the league’s annual calendar and drew a record crowd [[link removed]] of 775,000 in Detroit in April. The Commanders’ draft bid is centered in part on holding the event on the National Mall.

“I think we’re going to get that done,” he said. “We’re talking to the league about it. It’s a question of timing, and it’s going to be a few years off. … Obviously there’s a lot of complexity to it with the [National] Park Service. I’m lifting the covers a little, [and] there’s things that need to get done. But I believe that it will happen. It’s a question of when.”

Cowboys Pay Lamb, but NFL Teams Grapple With High-Stakes Talks [[link removed]]

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL salary cap took an unexpected record jump [[link removed]] of $30.4 million up to $255.4 million this year, but teams have still been taking their time when it comes to handing out major contracts.

On Monday afternoon, the Cowboys and star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (above) finally ended their months-long contract dispute by agreeing to a four-year, $136 million extension [[link removed]] that makes Lamb the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, according to multiple reports. Lamb’s $34 million average annual salary will fall behind only Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson, who signed a $140 million deal this offseason.

Lamb was set to make $17.99 million in 2024, entering the fifth-year option season of his rookie contract. Contract negotiations had become very public, with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones handing out barbs [[link removed]] through the press, and Lamb resorting to callouts on social media [[link removed]].

Give Me the Ball, and Some Cash

The Cowboys and Lamb haven’t been the only team and receiver at odds this summer, though. Like Lamb, the 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk and Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase didn’t get a single practice rep in during training camp, as they also seek megadeals well over $100 million each.

“With wide receivers, there’s a big conversation right now of: Are they being overpaid?” ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller said on Monday’s episode of Front Office Sports Today [[link removed]].

Chase is entering the fourth year of his fully guaranteed $30.81 million rookie deal. The Bengals picked up his fifth-year option that would pay him $21.81 million in 2025. Cincinnati owner Mike Brown has indicated [[link removed]] that any extension may not come until next offseason. The receiver returned to practice Sunday, three days after the team’s final preseason game against the Colts on Thursday.

Aiyuk, also entering his fifth-year option season, is scheduled to earn $14.12 million. San Francisco gave Aiyuk permission to seek a trade, but so far no deal has been made.

West Coast Shuffle

The 49ers aren’t dealing only with Aiyuk’s contract dispute. Left tackle Trent Williams, who has been named to the All-Pro first team each of the past three seasons, is set to make $20.9 million. But he is said to be willing to miss the start of the regular season, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler [[link removed]], if San Francisco doesn’t rework his contract and make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. Buccaneers tackle Tristan Wirfs currently has that mark with a $28.1 million average annual salary.

New deals for Williams and Aiyuk would make it an expensive summer for the 49ers, which already extended Christian McCaffrey to solidify his spot as the highest-paid running back [[link removed]] at $19 million a year. Meanwhile, third-year quarterback Brock Purdy will be eligible for an extension after this season, in which he’ll earn just $985,000.

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Amount paid for Babe Ruth’s “called shot” jersey (above) from the 1932 World Series, making it the world’s most valuable sports collectible, according to Heritage Auctions [[link removed]]. The bidding war lasted more than six hours, ending at 5:30 a.m. ET. The previous high for a piece of sports memorabilia was a high-grade example of a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps card that sold for $12.6 million.

EVENT

Front Office Sports’ inaugural Tuned In sports media summit will come to life Sept. 10 as a one-day event in New York City. Led in part by senior media reporter Mike McCarthy, this event will feature intimate discussions with leaders from ESPN, NBC, YouTube, Roku, and more.

Register now [[link removed]].

STATUS REPORT Three Up, One Down

Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

US Open ⬆ The tennis major posted a record attendance of 216,029 for its Fan Week, which includes qualifying, practices, and a series of family events. The figure, up by 37% from last year’s total that also was a record, is part of an overall escalation of the event [[link removed]] and gives organizers a solid base in their attempt to reach one million in overall US Open attendance—a figure that is unprecedented for a single event in the sport’s history.

Lydia Ko ⬆ The New Zealander won the AIG Women’s Open on Sunday, her third major victory that came with a $1.43 million payday. With the win, Ko, 27, moved to fourth all-time in career earnings [[link removed]] on the LPGA Tour with $19.2 million, around $3.3 million shy of top-earner Annika Sörenstam. Two weeks ago, Ko secured the gold medal in the Paris Olympics, earning her enough points to secure a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Nike ⬇ Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, announced a deal with New Balance despite playing for Nike-sponsored Duke this year, and wearing Nike shoes throughout high school. The acquisition of Flagg cements New Balance as a Nike challenger, especially as the face of the NBA [[link removed]] could soon be passed down with LeBron James nearing retirement.

Leagues Cup ⬆ The Columbus Crew defeated LAFC on Sunday to win the two-league tournament that sees MLS and LigaMX clubs compete against each other. Despite Lionel Messi not playing for defending champion Inter Miami due to injury, total tournament attendance was slightly up over 2023. About 1.32 million fans watched Leagues Cup games in person, for an average match attendance of 17,131.

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Conversation Starters New Balance unveiled an ad after signing 17-year-old Duke star Cooper Flagg. Check it out [[link removed]]. Minnesota Lynx legend Maya Moore had her jersey retired Saturday, and Jordan Brand gifted her a customer jacket and a case of gold sneakers [[link removed]] she wore throughout her career. Deion Sanders partnered with Elevations Credit Union to open bank accounts for his players [[link removed]] that will start with $2,121 each. Sanders, an NFL Hall of Famer, wore No. 21 throughout his career. Editors’ Picks Fanatics Adds Marvin Harrison Sr. to Lawsuit Over Son’s Deal [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]Fanatics originally sued Harrison Jr. over breach of contract for memorabilia. Haas F1 Cars Briefly Stuck in Netherlands Amid Russian Payment Dispute [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]Haas reportedly owed $9 million and a car to its former sponsor. Pro Rodeo Is Pushing to Capitalize on America’s Western Culture Obsession [[link removed]]by Sam Eagan [[link removed]]PBR hopes the cowboy-loving zeitgeist will propel explosive growth. Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Sports Careers [[link removed]] Written by Eric Fisher [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]], Colin Salao [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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