Josh Harris

The D.C. Council has scheduled hearings for July 29 and 30 “to allow residents and lawmakers to scrutinize” the proposed $3.7 billion stadium deal agreed upon by the District of Columbia and the Commanders.

The Commanders and Mayor Muriel Bowser had previously asked the D.C. Council to vote on the proposal by July 15, but the hearings will delay the vote, much to the chagrin of team officials. Per The Washington Times, Commanders officials said this week that any delay—even a few weeks for a council vote—could jeopardize the planned 2030 opening date. D.C. Council chairman Phil Mendelson dismissed the concerns and proposed legislation that would separate the stadium legislation from budget negotiations on Friday, ostensibly hoping to speed things along as best he can. With the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup coming to the United States and Mexico, both D.C. and the team are incentivized to get the stadium approved as soon as possible.