President Donald Trump is reportedly pushing for the Washington Commanders’ new football stadium to be named after him, as per a recent report from ESPN. The White House has been in discussions with investor Josh Harris, who leads the Commanders’ ownership group, about the possibility. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt neither confirmed nor denied the report, stating that it would be a fitting tribute to Trump for his role in making the stadium’s rebuilding possible.
A senior White House source indicated that naming the stadium after Trump is what the president desires and is likely to happen. While the Commanders’ spokesperson declined to comment on the matter, the road to naming the $3.7 billion sports complex after Trump involves approvals from Washington, D.C.’s council and the National Park Services.
Despite the team owning the naming rights, various approvals are needed for the name change. Trump, however, has been suggested to have leverage to influence the process, possibly through government environmental approvals. It is noted that Trump is not looking to pay for the naming rights, a departure from the norm of corporate sponsors paying millions for such rights.
This move is not the first time Trump has tried to exert influence over the Commanders, as he previously threatened to block the stadium’s construction unless the team reclaimed its former name, the Washington Redskins. The potential naming of the stadium after Trump would be a significant development, subject to the necessary approvals and negotiations with stakeholders.
