WASHINGTON (7News) — In a major announcement, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Washington Commanders' Josh Harris revealed a historic agreement to bring the team back to the nation's capital.

The deal would build a new NFL stadium on the site of the old RFK Stadium, where the team once played before moving to Maryland in the late 90s. The agreement still requires approval from the D.C. Council.

A major step toward making D.C. the sports capital once again, officials said the deal includes a $2.7 billion investment from the Commanders, making it the largest private investment in the District's history, to develop a state-of-the-art, roofed stadium and transform the RFK campus.

"We are thrilled to welcome the Commanders back home to the Sports Capital," said Bowser. "We said that we could do it all - Commanders, housing, park space, recreation, retail, entertainment and more - and, together, that's what we are delivering."

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Terms of the deal:

The RFK campus, spanning 180 acres, will undergo a comprehensive transformation to include housing, parks, hotels, restaurants, and retail spaces.

The Commanders' return to D.C. will also create approximately 14,000 jobs during stadium construction and 2,000 permanent positions, officials said.

"As we focus on the growth of our economy, we're not only bringing our team home, but we're also bringing new jobs and new revenue to our city and to Ward 7," Bowser said.

The development is anticipated to generate $4 billion in tax revenue and over $15.6 billion in direct spending over 30 years.

"Today is a defining moment for the DMV and the Washington Commanders," said Harris. "RFK Stadium holds a legendary place in our history - it's where the team dominated the NFL, capturing three Super Bowls and creating unforgettable memories for fans."

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Officials told 7News the District will not need to make cuts from the city’s operating budget.

Under the terms of the deal, Commanders will spearhead the investment for the stadium, which will occupy only 11% of the site and is expected to open in 2030. The District will contribute $500 million for stadium horizontal/non-vertical costs, using funds from the Sports Facilities Fee. Additional investments will be made in utilities infrastructure, roadways and parking development.

The RFK campus redevelopment will also include a new sportsplex, Kingman Park District, and approximately 5,000 to 6,000 housing units, with at least 30% designated as affordable housing.

Officials said the initiative aims to preserve popular community spaces like the Fields at RFK while enhancing the area's accessibility and amenities.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed support for the landmark project.

"We are grateful for Josh Harris' vision and determination and the leadership of Mayor Bowser in moving this transformational project forward. This world-class stadium will not only be an exciting site for NFL games and events in an iconic location but it will also be a community asset and an economic driver," Goodell said.

This deal comes after Congress granted D.C. greater control over the 174-acre RFK campus last December.

Deal Faces Opposition:

While the proposal has garnered support from Commanders fans, some D.C. residents have made their voices known that they're against it.

A citywide ballot initiative aims to prohibit the stadium deal in favor of affordable housing. The "No Billionaires Playground Coalition" argues that public subsidies for the stadium would be an irresponsible use of District funds.

D.C. is facing a forecasted $1 billion deficit over the next four years. Nick Sementelli, on the steering committee of the coalition, said there are other needs, other than a stadium, regardless of a deficit.

"We're working, really, right now on the budget. The goal here is that the council not pass the budget that includes public subsidies for a stadium. We think that would be an irresponsible use of District dollars, particularly in this moment," Sementelli said. "There are so many needs in the city right now, and there could be more in the future. We definitely think housing is of the utmost priority. There's a housing crisis in the city."

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D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson spoke to 7News about concerns about the financial implications, stating, "The cost to the District will be at least $856M, and I continue to be concerned with investing any public money into a stadium while we have constrained budgets and revenues, and unmet needs."

What's Next:

• Summer 2025: D.C. Council's timeline for approval
• Summer/Fall 2025: Planning for parks/housing recreation
• Fall/Winter 2026: Stadium site groundbreaking
• Early 2029: Plaza District ground-breaking
• Summer 2030: Sportsplex ribbon-cutting
• Fall 2030: Stadium opening

Mendelson said his position continues to be the same and he issued the follwoing statement after the announcement:

“The cost to the District will be nearly $1 billion – and that does not include investments in Metro and the surrounding park land site – and I continue to be concerned with investing any public money into a stadium while we have constrained budgets and revenues, and unmet needs. I would prefer that the Mayor focus on transmitting the budget rather than putting deadlines on the Council.”

The Commanders currently play at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, but have been exploring new stadium options for several years. If this deal is finalized, the move would make a homecoming for the NFL team -- a move many fans have long waited for.