National Football League

Virginia Gov discusses deal to move Redskins' camp

Published Aug. 4, 2012 6:21 p.m. ET

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Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell says the Washington Redskins have chosen four sites in Richmond at which they hope to hold their training camp next year.

McDonnell, speaking at the Redskins' ''Fan Appreciation Day'' at Redskins Park, said executives will make on-site assessments next week.

In June, McDonnell announced a financial package that would relocate the team's three weeks of training camp each summer from Ashburn to the state capital in exchange for public funding in renovating their year-round facility.

The package includes a $4 million investment by the state and $2 million from Loudoun County, as well as $400,000 from the city of Richmond to fund capital improvements at the eventual training camp site. The Redskins estimate the cost of renovations to their facility, which opened in 1992, at $30 million.

''(The Redskins) knew that to have one of the most valuable franchises in America and to be able to keep pace with other world-class facilities that have world-class players, some upgrades needed to be done,'' McDonnell said. ''So part of our agreement was a significant investment, about $30 million, by the Washington Redskins that will take place here to expand and upgrade their training facilities.''

McDonnell, who earlier spoke to a crowd of fans gathered around the team's practice fields, framed the annual relocation to Richmond as one that would assist in what he called the ''No. 1 priority of his administration, job creation.'' It remains unclear how many jobs would be created.

At the time of the announcement, McDonnell said the state's contribution to the team will be beneficial because it is less than the $9 million a year in state and local tax revenue generated by the team.

Members of the House Appropriations Committee objected to the deal nearly two weeks after it was announced. House members had previously rejected two similar plans during the General Assembly session.

The Redskins have been exploring several sites in and around the District on which to relocate their year-round headquarters, including near FedEx Field, their stadium in Landover, Md.

McDonnell also hopes the financial assistance from the commonwealth will give the Redskins incentive to expand their brand, either through museums or a Hall of Fame, in and throughout Virginia.

''For the taxpayers of Virginia, it's a very good arrangement,'' he said. ''We get to keep a major corporation here. We get to grow significant jobs here and the tax revenues will pay for that investment over a couple of years. It's part of what our goal is here - to create the best business-friendly state in America.''