OPINION:
If Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen is determined to kill the proposed deal between the federal government and the District that would bring the Washington Commanders back to the old RFK Stadium site, he likely won’t be fighting alone.
Angela Alsobrooks, the former Prince George’s County chief executive who is the Democratic Party’s candidate to replace the retiring Sen. Ben Cardin, is also — unsurprisingly — determined to keep the football team in Landover.
“The Commanders belong here in Maryland,” Alsobrooks said in a statement. “Having them here has always been a great source of pride for me and for so many Marylanders. In the Senate, I’ll continue to work with Senator Van Hollen and Governor Wes Moore to keep the Commanders here and ensure there is a fair process.”
This is similar to the language Van Hollen used when he told The Washington Times last month that “Maryland has served as the proud home of the Commanders for over 20 years … As the team looks to the future, I hope that they will choose to stay in Maryland and appreciate the efforts of Governor Moore and others working to make that happen. As discussions continue, the priority is to ensure a fair process in the selection of a site and prevent actions that unfairly tilt the scales in favor of one location over another.”
The state’s most powerful Democrats have taken the position that the federal legislation — known as the D.C. RFK Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Ace — would give Washington an unfair edge in its efforts to attract the Commanders from Landover, where their stadium lease runs out in 2027.
That deadline, given the time constraints now, will likely have to be extended, but Maryland is making it clear the state wants the team for the long haul.
The legislation that would help Washington passed the House in February and would likely to win majority support in the Senate. But under Senate rules, one senator can prevent a full vote for a single piece of legislation. If Alsobrooks is elected, that presents another roadblock.
Right now, though, the bill can’t even make it out of committee, thanks to Montana Sen. Steve Daines, a Republican. The ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is opposing the legislation in support of a family that wants the team to honor its former logo, which was created by Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, a member of the Blackfleet Tribe.
That logo, introduced in the 1970s, was based on a former tribe member. When the team dropped the Redskins name in 2020, it dropped all symbols as well. Walter’s grandson, Ryan, has been in talks with the team trying to reach an agreement to honor the logo that would satisfy the family, which in turn would satisfy Daines.
The team has invited the Wetzel family to a game in September and is working on a commemorative plaque in the stadium. But sources say that’s not going to get it done.
Ironically, both Walter and his son, Donald Wetzel, passed away last year. Donald tried to meet with team and NFL officials several years ago, when all the family wanted was the right to use the trademarked logo for fundraising efforts for Indian causes.
They were ignored. They’re not being ignored now.
Previously, the league went out of its way to make sure the Redskins logo and anything connected with it was blocked out in retro highlight videos they posted. But recently highlight videos of Santana Moss and Chris Cooley were shown with unfiltered Redskins logos.
“I’m glad to see the NFL proudly display such an iconic logo that both honors the rich legacy of Native Americans and Blackie Wetzel and excites the fan base, the Montana Republican said. “I hope to see the Commanders and NFL continue on this path and return the logo to a place of pride!”
The Wetzels said they are not looking for a return of the old name. But many fans may be.
A Washington Post-Schar School poll in April said 58% of fans don’t like the current Commanders name. Just 16% thought the name should remain.
The name. The stadium. Harris and his fellow owners inherited a pile of problems for their $6 billion.
• You can hear Thom Loverro on The Kevin Sheehan Show podcast.
• Thom Loverro can be reached at tloverro@washingtontimes.com.
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