The Redskins’ lease at FedExField "doesn’t expire for another 12 years, but Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is aggressively pushing to ensure that the team’s next stadium is built in his state, giving the Commonwealth a head start over Maryland" and DC, according to Cox & O'Connell of the WASHINGTON POST. Sources said that with team execs "intent on abandoning FedEx well before 2027, McAuliffe ... has already pitched multiple sites for a stadium in Loudoun County along the unbuilt second leg of Metro’s Silver Line." Sources added that Virginia officials "have also begun discussing infrastructure costs and legal agreements with the team." Maryland "has just begun its own effort to keep the Redskins," led by new Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who "proclaimed support for the team’s moniker during his campaign." Hogan said that he recently pitched Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder on "staying in-state during a two-hour meeting." DC city council member Jack Evans said that Redskins officials "have had no meaningful stadium talks with elected leaders in the District ... since the middle of last year." District officials’ lack of engagement "has frustrated team executives because the city owns what is widely considered the ideal location: the site of RFK Stadium, where the team played" before moving to Landover, Md., in '97. For the Redskins and their potential hosts, "the stakes are significant." Landing the next venue "has already touched off a jurisdictional tug of war." A Redskins source said, "Virginia is playing stronger and smarter than the other two entities. Maryland got started later and has a lot to put together." The source added for the moment, “DC is not in play” (WASHINGTON POST, 4/12).
