Commanders name change wouldn't poison stadium deal, D.C. Council chair says

Driving the news: Saying he is "working well" with the Commanders on stadium negotiations, Mendelson told 106.7 The Fan that, "We're trying to get to an agreement that can lead to a vote as quickly as possible."

• Would a hypothetical name change poison the deal? "My guess is no," Mendelson said. "It wouldn't change it for me," calling the hubbub a "distraction."
• That's a shift from 2013, when Mendelson led a push on the D.C. Council to condemn the team's name — seven years before former owner Dan Snyder relented in a rebrand.

Reality check: Commanders owner Josh Harris said earlier this year that the team name is not changing.

• The Commanders didn't immediately return Axios' request for comment on the matter.

State of play: The council will hold public hearings on July 29 and 30 about the stadium deal.

• Mendelson told the radio show he would like the deal modified so that tax revenue generated on the site is shared with the District.
• He also called for timeline goals for the other development on the land, including affordable housing.

What's next: Mendelson is not offering clues about when a stadium vote could take place, though council observers are gearing up for the chance of an initial one in early August.