Making the case to keep the Commanders in Maryland

Irwin Kishner, co-chair of Herrick's Sports Law Group, spoke to The Washington Post about the economic and other considerations for the Commanders in determining whether keep the team in Maryland or to build the new stadium in an alternate location.  

The Commanders' new managing partner has spoken about need for a modern stadium and a "new home" for the team. Another limited partner noted that there are three jurisdictions, in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, looking to welcome the team. 

According to Irwin, the fact that they already owns more than 200 acres at the FedEx Field site in Landover is a small advantage for Maryland. “Having the undeveloped or partially developed real estate is critically important in a competition to gain a stadium in your [jurisdiction],” Kishner noted. “However, it’s not the determining factor.”

The article notes that "[o]f the 30 stadiums in the NFL, 13 were built on the same parcel of land as the previous stadium. Another five were built in the same municipality and less than 10 miles from the previous stadium. Seven . . .  were built in the same metro area but either in a different municipality or farther than 10 miles from the previous site."

Kishner also highlighted that the group will probably decide the location of the new stadium based on a broad economic analysis that includes cost, space, development rights and the ability to attract commercial investment. He also noted that the biggest factor will be public funding, "whether directly, with a grant-like payment, or indirectly, with tax breaks or infrastructure improvements."

Read the full article in The Washington Post here. Access may require a subscription.