President Donald Trump, 79, is reportedly leveraging his executive power to ensure the Washington Commanders’ new $3.7 billion stadium is named after him, with sources suggesting he is willing to sabotage the recently approved project if his demand is not met.
President Donald Trump, 79, is looking to expand his brand by having his name splashed on a multibillion-dollar football stadium in Washington, D.C., according to THE DAILY BEAST reporting.
A senior White House insider claimed of the president’s naming rights wish to ESPN: “It’s what the president wants, and it will probably happen.” Trump has been heavily involved in the creation of the Washington Commanders’ new $3.7 billion home, and sources indicate he is willing to sabotage the stadium deal if it won’t become part of his legacy.
The plan for the NFL stadium was given its final approval by the D.C. City Council on Sept. 19, with the district pitching in $1 billion toward the facility’s creation. Insiders claim Trump wants to put his stamp on the stadium forever and has reportedly been communicating privately with Josh Harris, who leads the ownership group behind the Commanders.
While the press secretary remained oblique, White House Communications Director Karoline Leavitt told ESPN: “That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible.”
A different source was upfront about the demands, suggesting the president wasn’t above making things difficult. “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,” the source told ESPN, adding, “Trump has plenty of cards to play to get his way.”
Trump supposedly doesn’t want to pay for naming rights but is willing to leverage his power over the District of Columbia Council and the National Parks Service to ensure he has enough supporters. In July, Trump openly threatened to interfere with the Commanders’ stadium project over a separate naming issue.