FIU has reached an agreement with recording artist Pitbull for naming rights to its football stadium in Miami. Pitbull will pay the university $1.2 million per year over the next five years as the venue will be called “Pitbull Stadium.” He will also have an option to renew the agreement for an additional five years.
This is believed to be the first naming rights agreement of its kind between a musician and a football stadium. Pitbull is often associated with the city of Miami — going as far as nicknaming himself “Mr. 305” in reference to the Miami area code — which makes a partnership between him and the only FBS team to play in Miami city limits a logical one.
FIU has been searching for relevance in the highly competitive market since adopting an FBS football program in 2005. In 20 years, the Golden Panthers have only four seasons where they finished above .500. However, coach Mike MacIntyre has been creative in finding ways to bring any level of excitement to the program. Last season, the Panthers released universally beloved “Miami Vice” inspired uniforms, which they donned in their game against UTEP. The program is 8-16 in two seasons under MacIntyre.
As part of the deal, Pitbull will create an anthem for FIU athletics, post on social media about FIU 12 times per year and appear at one fundraising event. In return, Pitbull will get fee-free use of the stadium for 10 days per year with a number of tickets put aside for FIU students. He also gets the right to designate a performer at halftime or postgame of a home game if he wishes.
Additionally, his Voli 305 Vodka will be the preferred brand sold at the stadium and Pitbull will receive use of two suites of up to 40 people for home games. Pitbull will also be named the “Official Entrepreneur of FIU Athletics” and receive exclusive naming rights for multiple of the stadium’s facilities, including the field, club, end zone concourse and student section.
One source told CBS Sports’ Richard Johnson that EA Sports has been aware of this situation for a while and is working with FIU to reflect the Pitbull Stadium name change in a forthcoming update to the recently released “College Football 25” video game.
FIU’s first game at “Pitbull Stadium” will take place on Sept. 7 against Central Michigan. The program was picked to finish eighth out of 10 teams in Conference USA.
