Dolan withdraws plans for $2.7B London Sphere after unexpected rejection from Mayor Khan
• James Dolan withdrew plans to build $2.7B London Sphere venue after mayor Sadiq Khan unexpectedly rejected it due to supposed negative impacts • Decision came after 5 years of planning; Dolan attributes it to politics and rivalry with venue company AEG rather than legitimate concerns • Sphere was to be 300ft tall, slightly smaller than Las Vegas Sphere, on a 5-acre parcel of land near Olympic Park • Dolan hopes to recoup some of the $79M spent on the land but warns rejection sends chilling message about investing in the UK • Dolan wanted to build a Sphere in NYC but says "it would be too difficult to get through the processes" compared to London previously