The Sphere entertainment venue planned for Prince George’s County will move forward without guaranteed jobs for unionized construction workers despite calls to require the New York-based developers to employ local unions.
The Sphere National Harbor, planned to be a mini-version of the famed orb-shaped venue in Las Vegas, is projected to generate 4,150 construction jobs, according to Sphere Entertainment Co. But there’s no guarantee any of those positions will go to unionized workers after the Prince George’s County Council on Monday shot down two proposals that would have secured 40% of construction jobs for the project for local unions.
The council approved $215 million in government-issued bonds for the Sphere as part of a financing package to bring the 6,000-seat venue to the banks of the Potomac River. While construction unions are left to their own devices, the council passed an agreement allowing union groups to organize workers at the Sphere once the venue opens.
The Sphere is slowly working its way through government approvals before construction can begin. The county council is slated to take a final vote on the $1.4 billion project at the end of the month. If approved, construction will start next year with the venue planned to open in 2030.
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Leaders with the Madison Square Garden Family of Companies, which owns the developers Sphere Entertainment Co., have touted a commitment to unionized labor despite opposing the construction labor agreement. Sphere executive Richard Constable told the Prince George’s County Council last month that the Madision Square Garden Family of Companies are “very union-friendly” and would continue that commitment in Maryland.
The original Sphere in Las Vegas had 97% of construction workers unionized and 45% of its 3,000 current employees are union represented, according to Sphere Entertainment Co.
Still, Constable said at the council meeting last month he had been “clear” that Sphere Entertainment would not commit to a project labor agreement.
Some council members said they feared pushing to require 40% of construction jobs to go to union-represented workers would have jeopardized the Sphere’s future in Prince George’s County.
“This has been a contentious issue that would have Sphere walk away, and we cannot afford to have Sphere walk away in such an important project,” At-Large council member Wala Blegay said at Monday’s meeting.
County Executive Aisha Braveboy said Monday’s vote to move the financing package forward is a win that will boost the local economy by infusing $67 million in annual tax revenue. She said that is three times more than the combined tax revenue from Six Flags amusement park in Bowie, which closed last year, and Northwest Stadium, which the Commanders are leaving to move back to D.C.
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