Super Bowl 58 will be played at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, but the Sphere is predictably receiving plenty 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 unwelcome protest.
A man was seen scaling the Sphere on Wednesday, bringing the immediate area to a standstill as emergency vehicles surrounded the venue. Las Vegas police later announced that the individual was arrested without incident.
WATCH: A person could be seen walking across the 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 man in custody has a history of similar stunts. Identified by KVVU-TV as Maison DesChamps, he is a noted anti-abortion activist and has been arrested for climbing buildings in the past. DesChamps goes by the nickname "Pro-life Spiderman."
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While The Sphere isn't hosting a Super Bowl event Wednesday, the game's presence in Las Vegas seemingly motivated DesChamps. He tagged the NFL on his Instagram account with an "abortion is murder" sign in the background, KVVU-TV reported.
"We know that people are going to test us. We know people are going to try things," Las Vegas police department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a press conference following the incident.
Las Vegas has never hosted a Super Bowl before, though 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.
The Sphere has otherwise added a fun element to Super Bowl week, even displaying massive images of numerous championship rings from past winners on Tuesday night. The outside of the venue is expected to display CBS' live broadcast of Super Bowl 58 on Sunday.
