Fansided

Redskins want next stadium to model RFK

By Alexandra Huber

Dec 7, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; General view of the 400 level seats during the third quarter during the game between the Washington Redskins and the St. Louis Rams at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; General view of the 400 level seats during the third quarter during the game between the Washington Redskins and the St. Louis Rams at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Redskins say that they want their next stadium to resemble fan-favorite RFK.

At a team-organized event this week, Redskins’ President Bruce Allen said that the team’s new stadium will more closely resemble it’s old one, RFK Stadium, according to The Washington Post.

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When asked how to get more fans into FedEx field, the Redskins’ current home, Allen elaborated on the plan, saying “To get Redskins fans to the game mainly does have to do with winning more games. Maybe that has something to do with it.” He continued, “What we’re looking at, the future of the Washington Redskins, in our new venue – whether it’s here, wherever it is – is going to be a more intimate stadium. It’s going to be closer to what RFK is.”

This decision from the Redskins is unsurprising. As one of the oldest teams in the NFL, the Redskins like to honor their history, no matter who it offends. By creating a new stadium reminiscent of the past, they have the opportunity to appease life-long fans and increase attendance. The issue, though, lies in the execution.

Building a new stadium or arena is always a tricky endeavor for professional sports teams. The balance is to create something that honors the tradition and pageantry of the old venue, while still adding seats, suites and other amenities that increase revenue.

No one knows this better than the New York Yankees, who opened a new Yankee Stadium in time for 2009 season. The new stadium attempted to tip its hat to the past by recreating the famous fence atop the stadium and moving Monument Park, but that is where the similarities end. First of all, there was nothing wrong with the old Yankee Stadium, which was beloved by Yankee fans, so constructing a new one just across the street was seen as a clear money grab. Not to mention the issues of an incredibly short porch in right field or scores of empty seats behind home plate.

The Yankees, though, did win the World Series their first year in the new stadium, just as they did in the last one. That silenced the fans for a bit. Plus NYY Steak, a restaurant attached to the concourse, offers a great meal.

New York, though, is not the only place where fans long for the days of venues past. Most Chicago Bulls fans will tell you that they miss the atmosphere of the old Chicago Stadium, despite the new-era luxuries of the United Center.

While some teams erect a new building from scratch, others choose to renovate the current one. In many cases, these renovations are overwhelmingly successful (see: Fenway Park and Kauffman Stadium), though it’s not to say they don’t have their ups and downs along the way (see: Wrigley Field).

Assuming the Redskins do everything right (a huge assumption for a team run by Dan Snyder), it should draw more fans to the stadium, which is what really matters to the team’s executives.

After all, no professional sports organization does a better job at honoring the past like Washington’s NFL team.

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