Tabloid: Madonna checks Vegas deal
So what are we to make of the British tabloid report that Madonna is mulling a five-year
$1 billion Las Vegas deal?
Let's start with the numbers. They don't work, a local entertainment agent told me Friday.
If, at age 52, she is indeed is being courted by a Las Vegas casino, "I guarantee that number is double inflated," the source said.
Perhaps we should consider the source: the story appeared in the London daily, The Sun, a tabloid known for its sensational twists.
My source did some quick math: If Madonna landed in the 4,300-seat Colosseum at Caesars Palace, the most likely suitor, she would have to average $200 a ticket, net $3 million a week and work four or five nights for 50 weeks to make $750 million over five years.
"That's impossible. She's not going to work 50 weeks," said the source.
Celine Dion, one of the best-drawing entertainers in the world, recently announced a new three-year $100 million deal that calls for 70 shows a year.
Celine's tickets for her five-year run (2003-2007) at Caesars Palace averaged about $135. All of Garth Brooks' tickets at Wynn Las Vegas are locked in at $125 for his five-year deal
Then there's the Material Girl's comment a few years ago when asked if she would be interested in a resident headliner deal in Las Vegas similar to Celine's.
"That's insane," she was quoted as saying. "I hate Las Vegas. I couldn't bear it for five minutes."
But history tells us time and money are known to change attitudes.
It would come as no surprise if Madonna is being pursued by Las Vegas interests. In a city desperate for more starpower she could be a game changer, our Lucky Star.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
LAX nightclub at Luxor will be hosting the official Miss Universe after party on Monday. Doors open at 9 p.m. VIPS will walk the red carpet at 10 p.m. ...
An all-star gathering of rockers will be on the red carpet Sunday night before the Vegas Rocks! Magazine Awards in the Hilton's main showroom. Sally Steele, founder and CEO of the magazine, will be handing out the awards. The show is being filmed with hopes that it will eventually end up on a network. Tickets are $30 and available online at www.lvhilton.com or by calling 800-222-5361. ...
The Las Vegas Black Music Awards are being held Sunday night at the Las Vegas Rocks Cafe at Neonopolis, 450 Fremont St. The red carpet begins at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m. One of the honorees, Larry Hart, is receiving a gospel award. He's also being featured during Bill Geist's CBS Sunday Morning interview at Hartland Mansion. ...
SIGHTINGS
"The Price is Right" host Drew Carey, at the M Resort's Ravello Lounge taking in The Lon Bronson Band on Friday. ... Jack Osbourne, star of MTV's reality show, The Osbournes, partied at the Playboy Club (Palms). He sat at a VIP table with six friends. Osbourne drank Fiji water all night and left the Playboy Club about
2:30 a.m. ... At N9NE Steakhouse (Palms) on Thursday: Corey "Big Hoss" Harrison and Austin "Chumlee" Russell from History Channel's reality TV show "Pawn Stars," dining in separate parties. ... UFC president Dana White, at Nove Italiano (Palms) on Thursday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Lindsay Lohan will supposedly get a million dollars for her first interview after prison. I need to start driving drunk into houses." -- Jimmy Kimmel
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
