Trump Wants His Name on New NFL Stadium: Is It Possible?

Trump Wants His Name on New Washington Commanders Stadium
White House Acknowledges: "It Would Be a Very Beautiful Name"

There is a possibility that the new National Football League (NFL) stadium under construction in Washington, D.C. could be named after Donald Trump, President of the United States. It has been reported that President Trump personally contacted the team to express his intentions.

According to reports from the Associated Press and sports media outlet ESPN on November 8 (local time), President Trump conveyed through unofficial channels to members of the Washington Commanders’ ownership group that he would like his name to be included in the naming process for the new stadium.

The Commanders’ new stadium will be built on the site of their former home, RFK Stadium, with total construction costs estimated at up to $4 billion (approximately 5 trillion won). The target opening year is 2030. The Commanders previously played under the name "Redskins" and won the Super Bowl three times, but changed their name in 2020 due to controversy over the previous name’s derogatory connotations toward Native Americans.

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by Yonhap News

President Trump, who has actively used his name on buildings, hotels, and golf courses since his days as a businessman, has shown interest in the Commanders on several occasions recently. In July, he stirred controversy by suggesting that if the team did not revert to the "Redskins" name, he could delay approvals related to stadium construction.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated, "President Trump’s support played a role in making the new stadium possible," adding, "If his name is chosen, it would be a very beautiful name." A senior White House official also remarked, "This is something the President wants, and there is a possibility it could become reality." However, the Commanders have yet to release an official statement on the matter.

Typically, new NFL stadiums are named through corporate sponsorships, with companies purchasing naming rights for hundreds of millions of dollars. However, the process is more complicated when an individual’s name is used. This is because the final decision on the stadium site and facility name rests with the Washington, D.C. City Council and the National Park Service, a federal agency. As a result, analysts note that the wishes of the White House or the team alone are unlikely to finalize the naming decision.