The Washington Commanders are moving business operations from FedEx Field to College Park’s Discovery District, the NFL franchise announced Friday, citing the opportunity to meet “greater demand for suites” and collaboration between the team and the University of Maryland.
The new office will be located on the fourth floor of 4600 River Road, a new 101,000-square-foot building from COPT Defense Properties (NYSE: CDP), formerly Corporate Office Properties Trust. COPT is one of two firms leading the private development of the 150-acre, university-owned Discovery District innovation and research hub on the east side of the university’s sprawling campus.
“Commanders fans are eager to support their team and we’re dedicated to ensuring the best experience possible both on and off the field,” Commanders President Jason Wright said in a release that was posted by the University of Maryland. “Moving our headquarters will provide exciting new spaces to take in home games and will provide for greater collaboration for our business staff and partnership with the University of Maryland.”
While Wright calls it a “headquarters” in the statement, a source close to the move said the Commanders will continue to call Ashburn home, at least for player development, training and other on-the-field activities. The business operations — sales and marketing, human resources and other like functions — have been performed out of repurposed suites at Landover’s FedEx Field that the team is now selling, or wants to sell.
