The college sports landscape changed rapidly over the past few years, with conference realignment, NIL and media rights leading the direction for all schools and universities.
With revenue, not rivalries, driving the direction, many schools are looking for new streams to generate money to keep them competitive.
In Florida, Florida International has found a new naming rights sponsor for their stadium, and it’s not a company by a person, one with a globally recognized name.
Pitbull.
That’s right, Armando Christian Perez, known as “Mr. 305”, has purchased the naming rights to FIU’s football Stadium in one of the most interesting deals in sports.
On Tuesday, the university’s board of trustees voted to approve a five-year deal that changes the stadium’s name from FIU Stadium to Pitbull Stadium.
Pitbull will pay the school $1.2 million annually over five years for the naming rights to the 20,000-seat stadium.
The global music superstar attended Miami Coral Park High School and has always shown his love for his city through his nickname.
“For me, what it boils down to is, Miami is always known for being underdogs, no matter what we do and what level we take it to,” said Pitbull. “Being underdogs is what I always felt about FIU — fighting, clawing their way to just be seen, to be recognized whether it be from education, business, through sports.
“So when this idea came about, it came about just like a Miami-Dade County, 305 idea would come about — nobody would believe in it. … All we had to do was, just like we say in Miami, take it to the house.”
FIU now becomes the first university to have a college athletics building named after a musician.
“This is a historic day for FIU athletics to uniquely partner with a world-renowned artist and amazing person who truly values relationships and his community,” said FIU athletic director Scott Carr. “Armando’s financial support is program-changing, but him providing a microphone to amplify FIU will be even more beneficial to growing our brand.”
As part of the deal with FIU, Pitbull will be involved in NIL efforts, have two reserved suites in the stadium, have usage of the stadium for 10 days out of the year and his vodka brand will be the preferred brand in the stadium. HE will also do social media posts, appear at an athletics fundraiser and create a stadium anthem.
The Panther’s first home game is against Central Michigan on September 7th. Dale!
