Pitbull has purchased the naming rights for the FIU Stadium, and renamed the venue as the Pitbull Stadium.
Announced last night (August 6), the Florida International University Stadium confirmed details of what could be a decade-long agreement with the Grammy-winning recording artist and entrepreneur, Armando Christian Pérez – better known as Pitbull.
Home of the FIU Panthers, the site has now been renamed by the musician as the Pitbull Stadium, and Pérez will pay $1.2million (£1.03m) annually for the next five years to retain the naming rights of the on-campus venue.
He will then be given the option in August 2029 to extend the deal for another five years if he wishes to continue the partnership.
As part of the deal, Pitbull gets 10 days each year to use the stadium rent-free, and various tickets will be set aside purely for FIU students. Similarly, a brand of vodka he owns will become the preferred brand of the venue and he will be given two suites and 20 VIP parking passes for FIU football home games.
He is also being asked to create an “FIU Anthem” to be played at the school’s athletic contests according to AP News.
“Yes, we’re going to create history in Pitbull Stadium. This isn’t just an announcement. This is a movement,” Pérez said during a news conference in Miami. “This is truly history in the making.”
“This partnership with FIU is a true honour and a testament to what we can achieve when we work hard. Renaming the stadium isn’t just about a name change. It’s about inspiring the community, creating opportunities and showing the world that with determination and a clear vision, anything is possible.
“We’re making history together, and we’re just getting started. Why dream when you can live it?”
FIU confirmed that while the naming rights have been obtained by the singer, Pérez will also be involved with FIU’s efforts in the name, image and likeness space.
“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,” athletic director Scott Carr said. “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 highlighted by AP, Pitbull has been a longtime proponent of supporting education in South Florida, and FIU said he founded the first SLAM! (Sports Leadership, Arts, and Management) tuition-free public charter school in Miami in 2012.
In other pitbull news, earlier this summer the recording artist responded after one of his songs was included in a steamy Bridgerton sex scene.
At the end of the fourth episode of the third season, an orchestral version of his 2011 song ‘Give Me Everything’ was used to soundtrack a climatic and romantic scene in the back of a carriage between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).
“This again shows the world how music is the international language that transcends over boundaries more so how a hit song can remain timeless,” he wrote afterwards.
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