Mr. Worldwide is headed to Conference USA.
Pitbull, the international rapper who hails from South Miami, has purchased the naming rights to Florida International’s football stadium in a multiyear deal. Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Pérez, will pay the school $1.2 million annually for the next five years, with the opportunity to re-up for another five.
The stadium was known as “FIU Stadium” for the last two years between naming-rights deals; from 2017 to 2022 it was named after Italian businessman Ricardo Silva, who had paid almost $4 million to renovate the stadium and got his name attached in the deal.
The stadium also houses Miami FC, the USL club Silva owns. Silva also co-owns AC Milan, which he purchased a stake in 2022 through RedBird Capital.
FIU’s board of trustees approved the name change to “Pitbull Stadium” in a vote Tuesday.
Pérez grew up right by FIU’s campus and attended Miami Coral Park Senior High School, just two miles from the university. Aside from Mr. Worldwide, another nickname he has is Mr. 305, an ode to his Miami roots and the city’s main area code. The stadium will reportedly be the first collegiate athletics facility named after a musician.
As part of the agreement, Pitbull will record an anthem for the school and promote it on social media. His branded vodka will be sold in the stadium, according to ESPN.
The Panthers compete in Division I’s FBS and are a relatively young program, founded in 2002. The Panthers have played in five bowl games, winning two.
Editors’ note: RedBird IMI, of which RedBird Capital Partners is a joint venture partner, is an investor in Front Office Sports.
