Matthew Thomsen

RPTM 370

Al Karosas and Kevin Kozak

7 September 2023

Paper 1: The MSG Sphere

The MSG Sphere in Las Vegas is the latest fad in the world of sports and entertainment,

revolutionizing how people experience the gambling capital of the world. While the city already

brings in millions of dollars per year through tourism, the MSG Sphere plans to bring in even

more attention and even more money. The venue is going to host a multitude of events,

including wrestling, boxing, concerts, award shows, corporate events, and product launches,

just to name a few. This facility will be used in a wide variety of different ways, fully utilizing the

17,500 seats and 23 VIP suites.

There are many common design themes between other stadiums and the MSG Sphere.

They will be utilizing a beamforming sound system which is common among large arenas. The

difference about the Sphere is that it will be the largest in the world, with the sound system

being so precise that English and Spanish speakers can sit in different areas but still be able to

hear the broadcast without any trouble. The versatility is also common between current

stadiums and the new Sphere, with the venue being able to shift from events on a daily basis.

The most unique part of the MSG arena will be the internal and external high-resolution LED

screen that will fully immerse every visitor no matter where they are seated. The screen will be

19,000 by 13,5000 pixels and the entire sphere will be 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide. One

common necessity in new stadiums and arenas is having high-speed WIFI that is easily
accessible to all viewers. The MSG Sphere will deliver 25 megabits of data per second

throughout the entirety of the stadium which will be able to maximize everyone’s experience.

A stadium of this size is not a cheap investment, with the original price of $1.2 billion

rising to 2.3 billion. This price comes from a plethora of different setbacks, some being lasting

effects of COVID-19, design changes, and different labor costs. With MSG being a large

powerhouse in the entertainment industry, they are able to pull from their other streams of

revenue like ticketing and merchandise. A large source of funding is also coming from Mohari

Hospitality, which purchased MSG Entertainment’s 66.9 percent stake in Tao Group for $550

million. Through this investment, a large portion of the MSG Sphere will be paid for. Along with

this investment, the MSG Sphere will also collect from private investments, corporate

sponsorships, and other public financing.

The main owner of the MSG Sphere is the Sphere Entertainment Co. Madison Square

Garden Entertainment will work with Tao Group for ongoing services for Madison Square

Garden in New York, as well as the new Sphere in Las Vegas. When it comes to management,

there are multiple people who will take charge of the managerial rights. Madison Square

Garden Entertainment Co., Sphere Entertainment Co., and Oak View Group will work as a team

to lead the Sphere to new heights. They will mainly focus on partnerships with large brands and

venues worldwide to boost the success of the Sphere.

Overall, the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas is taking a huge leap in the way the world views

sports and entertainment venues. The revolutionary design and advanced technology will

become staples when constructing venues in the future. The success and struggles of the

Sphere will become the standard when moving forward in the entertainment industry.
 Sources:

24, K Davis July, et al. “MSG Sphere Las Vegas: Complete Guide in 2023.” Vegas Food & Fun,
20 July 2023, vegasfoodandfun.com/msg-sphere-las-vegas/.

Roeben, Scott. “Everything You Need to Know about MSG Sphere in Las Vegas.” Vital Vegas,
4 Sept. 2023, www.casino.org/vitalvegas/everything-you-need-to-know-about-msg-sphere-
in-las-vegas/.

Velotta, Richard N. “MSG Sphere Construction Costs Grow Again, Now $2.3B.” Journal, Las
Vegas Review-Journal, 12 May 2023, www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/msg-
sphere-construction-costs-grow-again-now-2-3b-2775373/.

Velotta, Richard N. “MSG Sphere Will Dazzle - but It’s Not A Sports Arena.” Journal, Las
Vegas Review-Journal, 19 Oct. 2022, www.reviewjournal.com/business/business-
columns/inside-gaming/msg-sphere-will-dazzle-but-its-not-a-sports-arena-2584422/.

Velotta, Richard N. “New Entity to Manage Sphere, Sports, Entertainment Partnerships.”

Journal, Las Vegas Review-Journal, 7 Sept. 2023,
www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/new-entity-to-manage-sphere-sports-
entertainment-partnerships-2900750/#:~:text=Oak%20View%20Group%2C%20which
%20is,%2C%20overseeing%20sports%2C%20entertainment%20deals.