Donald Trump has reportedly requested that the upcoming new stadium for the Washington Commanders be named after him.
According to sources via ESPN, there have been “back-channel communications” between the White House and the team’s ownership group about this naming.
The stadium is part of a massive $3.7 billion redevelopment project at the old Robert F. Kennedy Stadium (RFK) site in Washington, D.C., targeted to open around 2030.
What they want
Trump doesn’t appear to be seeking to buy the naming rights in a traditional sense (i.e., paying tens of millions). Instead, reports say he wants the stadium’s name to be in his honour — akin to how some historic stadiums bear individuals’ names rather than a corporate sponsor.
The White House spokesperson called the idea “beautiful”, praising Trump’s role in enabling the stadium project.
What to watch / key questions
- Approval process: Naming the stadium after Trump will involve more than the team’s ownership. The land is federal, managed by the National Park Service, and there’s a lease arrangement with the District of Columbia. So multiple stakeholders must agree.
- Revenue implications: Typically stadium naming rights are sold to corporations for major revenue. If the stadium is named after an individual (rather than a corporate sponsor), there could be financial trade-offs for the team or city.
- Public reaction & optics: Naming a major public venue after a living, highly polarising political figure may spark public debate.
- Timing: The stadium won’t open for years (2030 is the target), so much can change between now and then.
Why it matters
This isn’t just a sports naming issue — it intersects politics, public funding/development, and legacy branding. The decision could set precedent for how future public-private stadium projects consider naming, how much say a political figure has in such decisions, and how communities respond.
