D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser, who has been leading that push, celebrated the news.

The D.C. Council voted to approve development of the RFK Stadium site, which is the first step toward the Washington Commanders building a new stadium in the city.

It's a kickoff — the D.C. Council voted 9-3 on Friday to approve the $3.7 billion RFK Stadium redevelopment deal and bring the Commanders home. Why it matters: The preliminary approval gets the ball flying before a final September vote — and paves the road to victory for Mayor Bowser's legacy-defining deal.