James Dolan late Tuesday pushed out two of the highest executives in control of running his over-budget music venue slated to open in Las Vegas this fall, The Post has learned.
The Knicks and Rangers owner plans to personally oversee the completion of the $2.2 billion MSG Sphere, a source told The Post.
Dolan paid for an expensive Super Bowl ad during Sunday’s game promoting the brand new venue and its first act, U2. The high-tech MSG Sphere, which has been saddled cost overruns, is now slated to open in September.
To get to the finish line, Dolan dumped MSG Sphere President Lucas Watson and MSG Sphere Senior Manager of Business Operations Jenna Wolfenson, in keeping with an internal memo reviewed by The Post.
Dolan said he’s streamlining the organization so it may well do a more efficient job with brand strategy and partnerships by leveraging its expertise across its family of firms, the memo said.
James Dolan is taking up the MSG Sphere which is simply months away from opening.MICHAEL SIMON/startraksphoto.com
He believed there have been some weak links, a source near the situation said.
MSG declined comment.
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Dolan, who described The Sphere as probably the most technologically advanced entertainment venue on the planet, announced within the memo he’s adding Guy Barnett to move brand strategy and inventive development.
Dolan also plans to enlist David Hopkinson, the president of MSG Sports, which controls the Knicks and Rangers, to assist guide the Sphere, in keeping with the memo.
The Sphere is a component of Dolan’s Madison Square Garden Entertainment, which incorporates the Tao restaurants and venues like Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall.
Watson was brought in last March to guide the strategy and execution of all business points of the world. He previously had been general manager for self-driving company Cruise.
