Maryland’s Sphere Wins Big, But Washington, D.C. Gets the Headline

By MdBayNews Editorial Board

Maryland has quietly scored a huge economic and cultural win that continues to be mistaken as a Washington, D.C. victory. Over the weekend, **Sphere Entertainment Co. — the company behind the record-breaking immersive venue in Las Vegas — announced its intent to build a second U.S. location, at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. This future Sphere will be the first in the nation to use a smaller-scale design, seating roughly 6,000, and could spark more than $1 billion in annual economic impact for the state and county. 

Despite the significance of this development for Maryland’s economy and identity, much of the news coverage has framed the project as a “Washington, D.C. area” story or a “DC Sphere.” Headlines in major outlets emphasize proximity to the District, inadvertently overshadowing the fact that the initiative is a Maryland achievement, anchored in state and local partnership and investment. 

The planned Sphere at National Harbor — a premier destination on Maryland’s Potomac waterfront — represents a strategic win for state leaders and the Prince George’s County government. Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy, and Peterson Companies partnered closely with Sphere Entertainment to secure the project, which is expected to support thousands of jobs (2,500 during construction and nearly 4,750 permanent roles) and serve as a continuing draw for tourism and entertainment. 

So why does D.C. get the spotlight? Many national outlets default to the broad “DC metropolitan” label because National Harbor sits just 15 minutes from the capital. That proximity makes the story regionally relevant, but it dilutes Maryland’s central role in landing and backing the development. Coverage that repeatedly references Washington risks leaving residents and readers with the misleading impression that the District, rather than the State of Maryland and Prince George’s County, was the principal force behind the deal. 

This narrative matters because state and local policymakers earned this deal through negotiations, incentives totaling roughly $200 million in public and private commitments, and a clear economic plan built around Maryland’s competitive position as a destination. The Sphere wasn’t dropped in Maryland by accident — it was brought here through intentional strategy and cooperation among Maryland leaders. 

As the project moves through approvals and into development, Marylanders should demand recognition not just for geography’s sake but because the underlying work was done by Maryland institutions. National media would do well to stop leaning on “Washington” shorthand and start giving credit to the state that is literally footing the groundwork and will host the venue.

For political leaders, business communities, and voters alike, this moment should reinforce a broader point: Maryland can compete with — and win against — larger regional neighbors when it sets bold economic goals and backs them with resources and resolve. The Sphere at National Harbor is one such example, and it deserves to be recognized on its own merits.

Key Facts

• The proposed Maryland Sphere would be the second in the U.S. and first of a new smaller-scale design. 
• National Harbor’s version is expected to support thousands of construction and permanent jobs. 
• Economic impact for Prince George’s County and Maryland could exceed $1 billion annually. 
• The project relies on state, local, and private incentives totaling roughly $200 million. 

Maryland won this, with lots of tax breaks. It’s time the headlines did too.

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