Brian Olmo | Editor-in-chief
On Aug. 6, American rapper Armando Christian Perez, known as Pitbull, held a press conference in Tamiami Hall on Modesto Maidique Campus to announce an extensive collaboration with FIU Athletics.
Here are the details we know so far.
Pitbull Stadium:
Athletic Director Scott Carr announced during the press conference that the football stadium will be officially renamed to the Pitbull Stadium as part of a five-year deal. The rapper will pay $1.2 million a year for the naming rights and there’s an option to renew for five more years.
“It’s my great honor to officially announce a partnership unique to the 305 with a worldwide brand. FIU football stadium will now be called Pitbull Stadium,” said Carr.
This makes the Pitbull Stadium the world’s first-ever athletics facility to be named after a music artist.
But the sign isn’t the only thing that’s changing.
Pitbull is also creating an FIU anthem to be played at all Athletics events and his vodka company, Voli 305 Vodka, will be distributed in the stadium. He’ll also have two reserved suites for all home football games.
Additional terms of the contract require Pitbull to post on social media 12 times a year and attend one athletics fundraising event per year.
Pitbull is also officially recognized as the “Official Entrepreneur of FIU Athletics.”
All of these terms can be found in Board of Trustees documents.
Pitbull spoke on his reasoning for partnering with FIU.
“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.”
The artist also emphasized his connection to the university and to the city of Miami.
“This is history in the making. You’re going to see that every other university wants to do the same thing. But the difference is, we don’t do this propaganda. We do it from the heart. We do it because it’s meaningful to do it because I’m from the crib. I’m 305, I’m from the bottom. This is my my backyard.”
– Pitbull
Pitbull Concert:
Carr also mentioned that there will be a Pitbull concert held in the stadium.
“This will be the first time an athletics venue has ever been named after a world-renowned musician. So picture this: Pitbull in concert at Pitbull Stadium. I know I’m going to be there. We’re going to be there to see history made when that happens,” said Carr.
No exact date for his performance has been given.
NIL Funding:
It was mentioned by Carr during the press conference that Pitbull will be involved in assisting FIU with name, image and likeness.
“He’s going to help with NIL for our student athletes. That’s something that he wants to do outside of his contract.”
How Pitbull will contribute to NIL has not yet been specified.
President Kenneth Jessell reflected on the impact that the collaboration will have on the university.
“This is truly a transformational opportunity for FIU,” said Jessell. “It’s all about our students, our faculty, our staff, our alumni and this community. Armando mentioned that this is the Miami 305 way. The FIU story is the Miami story.”
If you want to see some of the highlights from the event, watch our Instagram Reel below.
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