Commanders losing support in stadium talks for hilarious reason

The Washington Commanders seem to be having a hard time getting a new stadium off the ground in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Of course, the rebranded Washington Commanders were unable to prove they were popular when it came up in the ongoing conversations about them getting a new stadium built.

News of this comes from Virginia state senator Chap Petersen withdrawing his support in favor of a bill that would help the Commanders get a new stadium built in the commonwealth. Petersen was a season ticket holder for the Washington professional football franchise for decades previously, but he cited a downtick in popularity as a reason not to invest in the Commanders here.

This is the statement Petersen put out Wednesday about pulling his vote for stadium funding.

“I’ve had a chance to read the legislation closely several times in its original and amended form,” said Petersen. “I’ve also followed the news as the team has obtained an option on land in Virginia to build a stadium and surrounding mixed-use development. I respect the fact that it might create jobs and revenue in Prince William. However, I do not plan to support the project or Virginia’s pursuit of this NFL franchise.”

His two biggest concerns are “that development is too far removed from an urban setting” and he doesn’t “have confidence in The Washington Commanders as a viable NFL franchise.”

Petersen is highly skeptical Virginia will support a rebranded NFL franchise with no identity at all.

Virginia state senator: Washington Commanders are not commonwealth worthy

While the NFL is not dumb enough to let one of its franchises leave the nation’s capital, the Commanders are going to need to get a new stadium sooner or later. The issues surrounding FedEx Field have been well-documented, everything from pipes bursting, to fans falling into a tunnel after a railing collapsed during a game. The question is where will the Commanders play?

Petersen might be right that a lack of public transit could be an issue in building a stadium all the way out in Virginia, but there are plenty of professional franchises that play ball in suburban, or even somewhat rural, settings. As far as the Commanders not being viable, that is a direct shot at controversial owner Daniel Snyder. If somebody else owned them, Petersen might feel different.

Look. Even if the Commanders are poorly-run, this is still an NFL franchise. Against all odds, no, this team is not going to be down forever. This team won the NFC East two years ago and is a playoff contender often enough to keep things interesting. So whatever city, township, village or unincorporated area ends up with the Commanders, they will be way financially better for it.

It will be interesting to see how things shake out with Washington in dire need a of new stadium.