Beyoncé won’t be able to perform at the Sphere in Las Vegas due to a breakdown in negotiations, but she may perform at another Sin City venue, The Washington Post has learned.
The superstar singer, whose latest album, “Cowboy Carter,” went platinum, had been in negotiations with the James Dolan-owned state-of-the-art venue for months, but a sticking point was Beyonce’s request that the Sphere be banned for two weeks to allow her to rehearse, sources familiar with the matter said.
The $2.3 billion arena, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary, is showing the immersive film “Postcards from Earth” four times daily. Ticket prices start at $104.
Sources said closing the 20,000-seat Sphere for 14 days for rehearsals would be a major hit to revenue.
Her team is also reportedly seeking around $10 million to create the songstress’ high-tech stage show, roughly the same amount that Sphere paid U2 to stage their shows, as previously reported by The Washington Post.
Beyonce, who wrapped up her “Renaissance” tour last September, is now in talks with rival MGM for the possibility of a four-year run of around 100 shows, the source added.
No details were given about how much Beyoncé will be paid for her residency at MGM.
The Post has reached out to Beyoncé and MGM for comment.
A Sphere spokesperson told The Post on Thursday: “We don’t comment on artists performing at Sphere other than what has been announced.”
As reported exclusively by The Post, the breakdown in Sphere negotiations came after Tina Knowles, the “Single Ladies” singer’s manager and mother, and Beyonce’s husband, Jay-Z, made separate tours of Sphere last year.
The Beyoncé buzz peaked again in February, when Verizon Super Bowl ad revealed The singer is seen sitting on a metal horse, projected above a spherical venue covered in LEDs.
Sphere is currently booking Dead & Company for summer dates before the Eagles begin a residency that runs from September through the end of the year.
Dolan, boss of Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks and Rangers, previously told The Post that the Sphere is in the process of developing its own identity and believes there are more changes to come.
“The one-year anniversary really proves that this idea works and is successful,” he said.
