Las Vegas Weekly

August 20, 2010 · 9:36 AM

Madonna to receive $1 billion for 5-year Strip residency show?

By Robin Leach

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

It’s been a long sought-after dream for at least one major Strip hotel to land Madonna as a new resident superstar, and this morning out of London come strong rumors that she’s finally considering it.

Britain’s daily newspaper The Sun, considered a leading pop news authority, has reported that there’s a $1 billion offer on the table for the pop diva to sign on the dotted line for a 5-year run of shows similar to the number of performances that Sir Elton John and Cher have performed annually in the past.

However, I’m told to not immediately jump to any conclusion that Madonna would be automatically headed to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, where Elton headlined and Cher currently resides. The Sun reports that Madonna is seriously considering the deal and the move to mount a permanent Strip production.

Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) oversees The Colosseum, and Madonna’s deal will be with the rival conglomerate Live Entertainment. She is in the midst of an already multiyear, mega-million-dollar contract with Live.

A pop insider told me this morning that Madonna has been carefully watching the unbelievable rising star power of Lady Gaga’s current Monster Ball Tour, which was at MGM Grand Garden Arena last Friday, and that she is not yet ready to be eclipsed by the “newcomer who she feels has usurped parts of her original stage shows.” (Lady Gaga reportedly recorded at Studio at the Palms while in town last weekend.)

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

I’m also told that there will be immediate denials about the story from Madonna’s camp and at least one Las Vegas hotel group, but that despite those, there are continuing talks exploring the basic business terms.

Vegas DeLuxe will obviously keep very close watch on this big breaking news story and report more as we learn about it.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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