Super Bowl 58 will be played at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, but as expected, the Sphere is getting a lot of attention as the football world descends on Las Vegas.
Hours after the futuristic arena transformed into Chiefs and 49ers helmets in anticipation of the game, the Sphere became the site of an unwanted protest.
A man was seen climbing the Sphere on Wednesday, paralyzing the immediate area as emergency vehicles surrounded the scene. Las Vegas police later Announced that the individual was arrested without incident.
WATCH: A person could be seen walking on top of the Sphere in Las Vegas >> https://t.co/22ChGsS8kB pic.twitter.com/XnwpMXcF4m
— KSNV News 3 Las Vegas (@News3LV) February 7, 2024
The arrested man has a history of similar stunts. Identified by KVVU-TV Like Maison DesChamps, he is a prominent anti-abortion activist and has been arrested for climbing buildings in the past. DesChamps is nicknamed “Pro-Life Spiderman.”
While The Sphere will not be hosting a Super Bowl event on Wednesday, the game’s presence in Las Vegas apparently motivated DesChamps. He tagged the NFL on his Instagram account with an “abortion is murder” sign in the background, KVVU-TV reported.
“We know people are going to test us. We know people are going to try things,” Las Vegas Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a news conference after the incident.
Las Vegas has never before hosted a Super Bowl, although the city is no stranger to major events outside of sports.
“We know these things are going to happen and we’re going to deal with them as they come up and make sure we have the safest Super Bowl we’ve ever had,” McMahill added.
Otherwise, The Sphere has added a fun element to Super Bowl week, even showing massive images of numerous championship rings of previous winners on Tuesday night. The exterior of the venue is expected to feature CBS’ live broadcast of Super Bowl 58 on Sunday.
