Game between the Washington Redskins and the Buffalo Bills at FedEx Field (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/ The Washington Post via Getty Images)
RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is a Redskins fan and characterizes them as “A Virginia team.”
The Governor says Virginia is “vigorously” pursuing the Redskins stadium project, but Maryland and Washington, D.C. are too.
McAuliffe visited Redskins training camp Thursday and Friday. While there, he spoke on ESPN 980, and listed some of the top reasons for the Redskins to come to Virginia. McAuliffe pointed to the availability of land, large population (and large portion of them Redskins fans), and military presence.
Friday, a spokesperson for the Governor’s office confirmed to News 3 Sports Director Adam Winkler that McAuliffe wants the ‘Skins new stadium to be in the Commonwealth for a number of reasons – but especially for the economic impact. While the facility would be a huge boost to the state, the Governor says it has to make sense for tax payers.
In the ESPN 980 interview, McAuliffe stated that Virginia has 800,000 vets and and the state’s population is 8.5 million and growing. He also said Virginia, he believes, is the only state of it’s size without a sports franchise presence.
“We’re in very serious negotiations” McAuliffe said.
The current stadium, FedExField, is in Maryland.
Stay with News 3, your home of the Redskins, as more on the negotiations develops.
