Sphere Entertainment and the state of Maryland revealed plans on January 18th to build a smaller version of the Las Vegas Sphere in the National Harbor area. This waterfront district was previously considered by Disney for a resort hotel back in 2009.
Disney dropped the project two years later, a move they might now wish they hadn’t made. Since then, National Harbor has grown into a popular tourist spot with hotels, casinos, and historical sites. If Disney had kept the land, the Sphere likely wouldn’t have been able to find space there, as land is limited.
Now, in a moment of corporate irony, Nelson Peltz may have the last laugh.
Why Nelson Peltz Matters Now
Nelson Peltz is an independent director at Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG). Sphere Entertainment Co. became a separate company from MSG in 2023. Although he doesn’t manage Sphere’s venues directly, Peltz stays informed about business choices that affect MSG.
Let me tell you, the battle over Disney’s board last year was something else. Nelson Peltz and his firm, Trian, really went after a seat, launching a full-on proxy war. Ultimately, Disney shareholders said no, and he didn’t make it. But he didn’t just walk away. He sold off all his Disney stock in May of this year and hasn’t been shy about criticizing the board, calling them both incompetent and corrupt. It was a messy situation, to say the least.
Disney’s decision to let valuable property in National Harbor go unused might suggest that Peltz was right in his initial evaluation.
The Economic Impact of the Sphere
A new Sphere venue is planned for Maryland, and it will be similar to the famous landmark in Las Vegas, but smaller. The Las Vegas Sphere holds over 17,600 people, while the Maryland location will seat around 6,000. According to Sphere Entertainment, the new venue will have all the same cutting-edge technology as the original, including a state-of-the-art LED screen, immersive sound, special seating that lets you feel the action, and 4D effects that simulate environmental sensations.
James L. Dolan, the CEO of Sphere Entertainment, stated that the company aims to build Spheres in major cities around the world. They’re already planning a second Sphere in Abu Dhabi, and it’s expected to be finished before Disneyland expands in the area, which isn’t projected until the 2030s.
For now, it appears that companies working with Peltz are one step ahead of the House of Mouse.
The Last Word
Maryland Governor Wes Moore is enthusiastic about the new project, highlighting its potential to boost the economy through tourism. Similar to the highly successful Sphere in Las Vegas, the planned Sphere National Harbor is projected to generate over $1 billion in economic activity each year.
The project hasn’t officially begun yet, as it still needs approval from both the county and the state. Currently, details like construction plans, development agreements, funding, how it will be run, and any potential government support are all still being discussed and finalized.
Success in the competitive world of entertainment investment usually comes down to having both creative vision and smart business sense. Disney’s board might have made a mistake by not investing in a promising new tourist destination, and activist investor Nelson Peltz could be enjoying their disappointment.
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2026-01-31 17:56