Trump reportedly wants the new main hall of the NFL team Washington Commanders to be named after him, reports ESPN.
The American sports news giant cites anonymous sources on Trump’s wish. The new stadium, which is scheduled to cost a staggering $3.7 billion to build, will not be completed until 2030.
– It would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the construction of the new stadium possible, says Karoline Leavitt, press secretary for the president, to the AP news agency.
However, she says nothing about whether ESPN’s sources are correct.
Neither Commander’s nor DC’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, has commented on the case. A White House source, on the other hand, tells ESPN:
– That is what the president wants, and it will probably happen.
The Commanders have the rights to sell the name of the stadium to a sponsor for several hundred million dollars. There are only two stadiums in the entire NFL that are without a sponsor name this year.
However, Trump does not want to spend money to get his name on the stadium. According to ESPN, the president wants it to happen as a tribute to him.
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Thus, Commanders can try to find a solution that appeases both Trump and the wallet.
Some facilities already have both nicknames and sponsors, including “GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium” in Kansas City and “Empower Field at Mile High” in Denver.
Reuters mentions an imaginary example: “Northwest Field at Trump Stadium”.
Trump insists: – The beginning of the end
According to ESPN, Trump could make life miserable for the Commanders if he doesn’t get his way.
– He has cards in his hand. He can make it very difficult, through state environmental approvals and other measures, to ensure that everyone who wants the stadium to be built joins together to put his name on it, says a source to the channel.
Perhaps Trump himself will comment on the alleged wish on Sunday. Then it is expected that the president will appear when the Commanders play a home game against the Detroit Lions. Trump has been invited by Commanders’ co-owner Josh Harris.