Welcome to Pitbull Stadium, the new home of the FIU Panthers.
On Tuesday, Florida International University announced a potentially groundbreaking agreement with international music sensation and Grammy winner Armando Christian Pérez, popularly known as Pitbull. This deal, which could span up to 10 years, will see the stadium on the FIU campus bear his name.
Pérez has committed to paying $1.2 million annually over the next five years for the naming rights. Additionally, he has the option to extend the contract for another five years starting in August 2029, allowing for continued rebranding opportunities.
During a press conference in Miami, Pérez expressed his enthusiasm for the deal, stating, “Yes, we’re going to create history in Pitbull Stadium. This isn’t just an announcement. This is a movement. This is truly history in the making.”
According to FIU, this is the first instance where an artist has acquired naming rights for a stadium. In addition to the naming rights, Pérez will contribute to FIU’s initiatives related to name, image, and likeness (NIL), as noted by athletic director Scott Carr.
“This is a historic day for FIU athletics,” Carr remarked. “Partnering with a globally recognized artist like Armando, who deeply values his community, is a unique opportunity. His financial backing will significantly impact our program, and his role in amplifying FIU’s brand will be invaluable.”
As part of the agreement, Pérez will have access to the stadium for 10 days each year at no cost, with some tickets reserved for FIU students. His vodka brand will become a preferred product at the stadium. He will also receive the use of two suites and 20 VIP parking passes for home football games. Additionally, he is expected to create an “FIU Anthem” to be played at the university’s athletic events.
“This is a true blessing and honor,” Pérez said. “Let’s make history.”
Pitbull, also known as “Mr. 305” in reference to Miami’s area code, began his career in the South Florida rap scene around 2004 and has since become a globally recognized artist.
FIU President Kenneth A. Jessell noted, “Pitbull’s rise reflects FIU’s growth as a leading public research university. Like FIU, he started locally and achieved worldwide success.”
Pérez has a strong history of supporting education in South Florida, having founded the first SLAM! (Sports Leadership, Arts, and Management) tuition-free public charter school in Miami in 2012.
“This is about uniting everyone,” Pérez said. “It’s about bringing people together. Hard work leads to success. People say I’m lucky, but the harder I work, the luckier I get.”