Always the Florida International University and Cuban-born artist Pitbull They supported the sport and so it was not surprising that last Tuesday a partnership between both parties was announced for 10 years and 12 million dollars.
Under this agreement, the university’s main stadium will now be called Pitbull Stadium and the artist is committed to scheduling 10 events a year, which may include concerts, festivals or shows.
FIU promotes all sports and proof of this is that two students from the university participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Senegalese Oumy Diop and Uruguayan Nicole Frank.
Both athletes are members of FIU’s swimming and diving program and competed in the 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter medley, respectively.
Pitbull, for his part, is the founder of the Trackhouse Racing Team, a NASCAR team whose driver is Mexican Daniel Suarez, the only Hispanic driver in the world’s leading stock car series.
“This partnership with FIU is a true honor and a testament to what we can accomplish when we work hard,” said Armando Christian Perez (Pitbull). “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?”
Meanwhile, FIU has teams in all major team sports and equally supports individual sports as a valuable complement to its excellent educational programs, making it one of the leading public universities in the United States.
In addition, FIU offers a range of services related to physical activity, such as sports medicine, strengthening and conditioning, among others.
Pitbull, for his part, is closely linked to education. In 2012, he founded the free public charter school in Miami called SLAM!, which stands for Sports Leadership, Arts and Management.
Today, SLAM! provides instruction in universal topics such as sports, science, technology, media and more to approximately 10,000 students in 14 schools in Florida, Nevada, Georgia, Texas and Arizona.
At FIU, they believe that the alliance with Pitbull not only unites common objectives but also adds parallel stories.
“Pitbull’s career path reflects FIU’s rise as one of the nation’s leading public research universities,” said FIU President Kenneth A. Jessell. “Like FIU, he started in the 305s and went global.”
Pitbull’s first official appearance will be at the FIU Panthers football game against Sam Houston State on October 22 (7:30 pm) in a match that will be broadcast by ESPNU throughout the United States.
It’s Vice Night at the brand new Pitbull Stadium, and fans will also be able to enjoy a night of celebration and purchase club merchandise and products.
“This is a historic day for FIU Athletics to uniquely partner with a world-renowned artist and an incredible individual who truly values relationships and his community,” said FIU Director of Athletics Scott Carr. “Armando’s financial support is game-changing for the program, but having him provide a microphone to amplify FIU will be even more beneficial to growing our brand. I couldn’t be more excited about our partnership as this will take us to another level. We can now officially say, ‘Paws Up, Dale!’”
FIU believes this collaboration with Pitbull will raise the profile of the university’s sports support internationally and attract new fans and sponsors thanks to Pitbull’s global influence.
FIU also believes that the alliance with Pitbull reinforces the university’s commitment to innovation and entertainment.
