Commanders risk losing up to $800,000,000 over Donald Trump’s reported demand: Insider

The Washington Commanders' planned move to a new stadium at the site of their old, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, could be in jeopardy after the latest reports.

According to ESPN, President Donald Trump wants the new dome-shaped stadium to be named after him. The Commanders, who are reportedly planning to sell the naming rights to corporate sponsors, could incur significant losses, according to NFL insider Albert Breer.

Breer cited the naming rights deals for the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams' SoFi Stadium and Scotiabank Arena, the home of the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs.

"Just for context, the naming rights deal at SoFi Stadium in LA is worth $650 million over 20 years, and the one at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto is at $800 million (Canadian) over 20 years. So that's what the @Commanders would be walking away from in not selling off the rights."

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The proposed stadium will reportedly cost $3.7 billion, wth the Commanders' ownership raising $2.7 billion, while the city contributes the remaining $1 billion and leases the stadium. The team played at the site from 1961 to 1996 before moving to Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

Earlier this year, Trump had threatened to block the Commanders' move to the new stadium if they didn't revert to their old 'Redskins' name.

Also read: "It doesn't have the same ring": Donald Trump gets brutally honest on Redskins changing their name to Washington Commanders

Donald Trump could block Commanders' stadium naming deal

Albert Breer's assessment comes in the wake of reports that suggest that Donald Trump could potentially raise roadblocks for the Commanders if they don't surrender the naming rights.

"He has cards to play. He can make it very difficult, through government environmental approvals and other things, to make sure everyone who wants this stadium to be built will join to put his name on it," an ESPN source said. "Trump has plenty of cards to play to get his way."

Only Soldier Field in Chicago and Green Bay's Lambeau Field don't have corporate sponsors leasing their stadium names. Trump is expected to be in the owner's box with Commanders Owner Josh Harris for Sunday's clash against the Detroit Lions in the "Salute to Service" game honoring veterans.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash