'More like the Washington Commuters': NFL's Commanders 'drop $100million on potential site for their new stadium in Virginia' - but the 200-acre plot is a 30-mile haul from DC

  • The Washington Commanders paid more than $100 million for a 200-acre plot of land in Virginia, where the team could potentially build a new stadium
  • The Commanders finalized the pact last week, but it hasn't yet been filed with Virginia's Prince William County, which is about 30 miles from Washington DC
  • The team currently plays at Landover, Maryland's FedEx Field 11 miles from DC
  • The Commanders' proposed move isn't unusual for NFL teams, many of which play outside their nearest metropolitan areas, such as New York or Boston 
  • News of the deal surfaced as the Commanders and team owner Dan Snyder face government and NFL probes over sexual harassment and financial misconduct
  • USA Today reported Saturday that other NFL owners could pressure Snyder to sell the club over the scandals, but they would need approval from 24 teams 

The Washington Commanders have paid more than $100 million for a 200-acre plot of land in Virginia, where the team could potentially build a stadium to replace 25-year-old FedEx Field.

A source with knowledge of the agreement confirmed the details to DailyMail.com on Monday. The deal was originally reported by ESPN's John Keim.

The Commanders finalized the pact last week, but it hasn't yet been filed with Virginia's Prince William County. One source told ESPN that the land is the preferred site for a new stadium – a proposed 60,000-seat domed facility – and the team could potentially add another 65 to 70 acres around the site on which retail shops, restaurants and apartments could be built.

Before anything is decided, the team will need to know how much funding it will receive from state and local governments for the project, according to ESPN. Meanwhile, the state of Maryland has pledged $400 million to develop the area around FedEx Field in hopes of convincing the Commanders to stay put.

The location of the proposed site is located just off an I-95 exit in Woodbridge, Virginia, although various other reports have placed it in nearby Dumfries. One source has since told DailyMail.com that the site is in Woodbridge. 

In either case, a new stadium in Prince William County would be considerably further from Washington DC than Landover, Maryland's FedEx Field, which is just 11 miles from the Capitol. Dumfries, for instance, is more than 30 miles away from the Capitol, and that distance is exacerbated by the region's notorious traffic problems.

The Washington Commanders have paid more than $100 million for a 200-acre plot of land in Virginia , where the team could potentially build a stadium to replace 25-year-old FedEx Field. News of the potential move surfaced as the Commanders and team owner Dan Snyder (center right with wife and team co-owner Tanya) face several investigations over allegations of sexual harassment and financial malpractice

The Washington Commanders have paid more than $100 million for a 200-acre plot of land in Virginia , where the team could potentially build a stadium to replace 25-year-old FedEx Field. News of the potential move surfaced as the Commanders and team owner Dan Snyder (center right with wife and team co-owner Tanya) face several investigations over allegations of sexual harassment and financial malpractice

A new stadium in Prince William County would be considerably further from Washington DC than Landover, Maryland's FedEx Field, which is just 11 miles from the Capitol. Dumfries, for instance, is more than 30 miles away from the Capitol, and that distance is exacerbated by the region's notorious traffic problems

A new stadium in Prince William County would be considerably further from Washington DC than Landover, Maryland's FedEx Field, which is just 11 miles from the Capitol. Dumfries, for instance, is more than 30 miles away from the Capitol, and that distance is exacerbated by the region's notorious traffic problems

ESPN's used the stadium proposal to joke about the Commanders' unpopular name change

ESPN's used the stadium proposal to joke about the Commanders' unpopular name change 

'As far away from DC as Dumfries looks on the map, it's even farther when you consider I-95 traffic & overall commuter trends,' tweeted Sports Business Journal's Ben Fischer.

'More like the Washington Commuters amirite,' tweeted ESPN's Mina Kimes.

Political pollster and former baseball writer Nate Silver suggested that all NFL teams be named for the actual town in which they play.

'Thinking about running for president on a platform of requiring teams to be named after the city where their stadium/arena is actually located then taking in some hot NFC East action between the East Rutherford Giants and the Dumfries Commanders,' Silver joked.

The Commanders' proposed move isn't unusual for NFL teams, many of which play outside their nearest metropolitan areas. As Silver mentioned, both the Giants and New York Jets play at East Rutherford, New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, while the New England Patriots play in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is situated between Boston and Providence, Rhode Island.

As Keim noted, the Commanders' proposed site sits 80 miles away from Richmond, Virginia, and could potentially help to draw more fans from the Commonwealth.

And like the Patriots suburban home, the proposed Commanders stadium would be surrounded by the kinds of shops and hotels that would cater to NFL fans.

The team has played at FedEx Field since it was completed under former owner Jack Kent Cooke in 1997. The club owns the surrounding land, as well as the stadium itself, but fans have complained about the need for repairs. In January, several Philadelphia Eagles fans were seen falling onto FedEx Field when a railing snapped. Several fans claimed to have suffered minor injuries.

Political pollster and former baseball writer Nate Silver suggested that all NFL teams be named for the actual town in which they play

Political pollster and former baseball writer Nate Silver suggested that all NFL teams be named for the actual town in which they play

The club could try to relocate back to the District of Columbia, where the team formerly known as the Redskins played from 1937 until 1996, but that is considered federal land and would need approval from the US government. According to ESPN, such a move is unlikely.

News of the potential move surfaced as the Commanders and team owner Dan Snyder face several investigations over allegations of sexual harassment and financial malpractice.

'Nobody, and I mean nobody, does a narrative change like my favorite football team,' tweeted local comedian and sports radio personality Danny Rouhier. 'Snyder in hot water -> Dumfries Stadium. It's legit impressive.'

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares recently launched an inquiry into the Commanders following allegations of financial improprieties raised by a congressional committee.

The announcement from Miyares in April came two weeks after the House Committee on Oversight and Reform wrote to the Federal Trade Commission saying it found evidence of deceptive business practices over the span of more than a decade, including withholding ticket revenue from visiting teams and refundable deposits from fans.

The Commanders denied the allegations in a letter to the FTC.

Several fans noted that Monday's news serves as a nice 'narrative change' for the Commanders

Several fans noted that Monday's news serves as a nice 'narrative change' for the Commanders

A hand railing collapses and fans fall onto Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) following the end of an NFL football game on January 2 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland

A hand railing collapses and fans fall onto Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) following the end of an NFL football game on January 2 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland

The NFL has said it engaged former Securities and Exchange Commission chair Mary Jo White 'to review the most serious matters raised by the committee.'

The Oversight Committee launched the probe into accusations of workplace misconduct against the team after the NFL refused to publicly release findings of its own investigation, which included sexual harassment claims against now-former employees and Snyder himself. Snyder has denied sexually harassing anyone.

After testimony by former employees, the Oversight Committee's investigation began to exam the Commanders' finances.

The scheme alleged by the Committee centers around security deposits for season tickets, which should have been returned to customers, but were instead withheld by the team.

The growing number of scandals surrounding the team has troubled some NFL team owners, according to a new report by USA Today.

'There's growing frustration about the Washington situation and not over one issue, but over how much smoke there is,' an unnamed owner told USA Today. 'I think everybody's getting tired of it.'

Snyder, who bought the team in 1999, could reportedly be forced to sell the club if the measure gains support from 24 of 31 other team owners.

However, a source close to Snyder dismissed that report to DailyMail.com.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS SEXUAL HARASSMENT FALLOUT:

Team owner Dan Snyder: There are several outstanding allegations against Snyder. 

A former cheerleader named Tiffany Bacon Scourby told the Washington Post that Snyder suggested that she join his 'close friend' in a hotel room in 2004 so they 'could get to know each other.' 

In February of 2022, a female former employee told HBO that she saw Snyder laughing and puffing on a cigar while watching a male executive grope her female co-worker's backside in Snyder's private suite at FedEx Field. 

Another former employee, Tiffani Mattingly Johnston, said Snyder put his hand on her knee once at a dinner and later pressured her to get into his limousine, which she refused. 

Snyder privately settled one sexual harassment allegation in 2009 for $1.6 million following an incident aboard his private plane, according to the Washington Post. The woman, a former club employee, claims Snyder asked her for sex, groped her and attempted to remove her clothes while the pair were on a team plane returning from Las Vegas. 

His accuser had agreed not to sue the team or disclose her allegations as part of the settlement, but The Washington Post made them public in June 2022. The newspaper obtained a letter by a team attorney that detailed her allegations while arguing the claims were not credible.

Furthermore, the billionaire is accused of belittling executives, according to three members of the executive staff. Specifically, it's claimed that he ridiculed an employee named Dennis Greene for being a college cheerleader, once allegedly ordering him to do cartwheels for his amusement. Snyder temporarily handed over day-to-day control of the club to his wife, Tanya, as the club was fined $10 million by the NFL. He now faces a criminal investigation in Virginia, where the club is accused of financial malpractice for allegedly swindling season ticket holders out of security deposits and improperly withholding ticket revenue from NFL teams. The Commanders have denied these claims.  

Dan Snyder (left) still owns the Washington Football Team, but temporarily ceded day-to-day control of the franchise following the NFL's investigation into sexual harassment claims against the club. He has since accused now-former team president Bruce Allen (right) of conspiring to spread false information about him to an Indian website

Dan Snyder (left) still owns the Washington Football Team, but temporarily ceded day-to-day control of the franchise following the NFL's investigation into sexual harassment claims against the club. He has since accused now-former team president Bruce Allen (right) of conspiring to spread false information about him to an Indian website 

Chief operating officer Mitch Gershman: Former team employee Emily Applegate said he would routinely compliment her body while also regularly berating her for insignificant problems, like printer malfunctions. Her allegations were supported by two other female former employees. When contacted, Gershman told The Post, 'I barely even remember who she is,' adding that he 'would apologize to anyone who thought I was verbally abusive.' Gershman left the team in 2015.  

Team president Bruce Allen: Although Allen was not accused of sexual harassment or verbal abuse, Applegate claims he must have known about her problems because 'he sat 30 feet away from me... and saw me sobbing at my desk several times a week.' The brother of former Virginia Governor and US Senator George Allen, Bruce found himself at the center of Jon Gruden's email controversy in October of 2021 when the now-former Raiders coach's racist, homophobic messages were mysteriously leaked to the media. Ultimately the emails led to Gruden's dismissal as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Bruce Allen was fired after the 2019 season, when Washington went 3-13.

Former Washington Redskins director of pro personnel Alex Santos

Former Washington Redskins director of pro personnel Alex Santos

Director of pro personnel Alex Santos: Six former employees and two reporters who covered the team told the Washington Post that Santos made inappropriate remarks to them about their appearances. He also asked them if they were interested in him romantically. In 2019, he allegedly pinched Rhiannon Walker, a reporter for The Athletic, and told her she had 'an ass like a wagon.' This resulted in an internal investigation. Another reporter, the Ringer's Nora Princiotti, also accused Santos of harassing her. Santos, who declined to speak with The Post, was fired in July of 2020.

Team radio play-by-play announcer Larry Michael: Seven former employees told The Post that 'the voice of the Washington Redskins' frequently talked openly about female co-workers looks, often making sexually disparaging remarks. He was once caught on a 'hot mic' in 2018 discussing the looks of one intern, six sources told The Post. He is also accused of ordering employees to edit together a video of lewd behind-the-scenes outtakes from a 2008 calendar shoot. Michael, who declined to speak with The Post, retired after 16 seasons in July of 2020.

Former radio announcer Larry Michael
Former assistant director of pro personnel Richard Mann II

Former radio announcer Larry Michael (left) and former assistant director of pro personnel Richard Mann II (right)

Assistant director of pro personnel Richard Mann II: In a text message obtained by The Post, Mann told a female colleague that he and other men in the office debated whether she had plastic surgery on her breasts. He also warned another female coworker to expect an 'inappropriate hug' from him, adding, 'don't worry that will be a stapler in my pocket, nothing else.' Mann declined to speak with The Post after being fired in July of 2020.

Former president of business operations Dennis Greene

Former president of business operations Dennis Greene

President of business operations Dennis Greene: Five former employees told The Post that Greene asked female sales staffers to wear revealing outfits and flirt with wealthy season ticket holders and suite holders. Greene worked for the club for 17 years until 2018, when it was revealed that he had sold access to team cheerleaders at a bikini photo shoot in Costa Rica as part of a ticket package. According to a New York Times investigation, the 2013 calendar shoot did not involve any sex, but team officials did worry the cheerleaders by taking their passports. Some cheerleaders say they were required to be topless, although the shoot did not include any nudity. After a 14-hour shoot one day, nine of the 36 cheerleaders were reportedly asked to escort suite holders to a local nightclub. Several of the women began to cry, according to the Times. Greene declined to comment and has not worked for the team since he resigned in 2018. 

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