Oral history interview with Rick Arpin conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on May 22, 2024 for the Game On! The Oral History of Las Vegas Sports project. In this interview, Las Vegas native Rick Arpin reflects on his East Las Vegas childhood, his career in accounting and finance, and his role with MGM Resorts in conceiving, building, and operating the T-Mobile Arena, home of the Vegas Golden Knights. Arpin mostly focuses on the idea of what would become T-Mobile arena, possible sites and designs for the arena, and putting everything on hold through the financial crisis (2008-2009) and the building of City Center (2008-2010). He talks about MGM Resorts realizing they had to manage all sports and entertainment venues across the company, including security, vendors, booking, and all operations. Arpin recalls the multiple people, institutions, and determination that helped chip away the "stigma" that professional and collegiate sports felt clouded Las Vegas as a location for professional or collegiate sports. Digital audio available.
Archival Collection
Game On! The Oral History of Las Vegas Sports Interviews
'United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation.' 'June 1976. Revised March 1981.' 'Map No. 952-300-203.' 'Exhibit I.' Includes inset location map for project area. Scale [ca. 1:126,720. 1 in. to approx. 2 miles] . United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation
Town hall meeting for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project facilitated by Claytee D. White on May 11, 2013. In this town hall, White explains the mission and the purpose behind the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Attendees also speak, telling stories and histories of the African American people and communities in Las Vegas, Nevada.