International recording artist Pitbull has made a name for himself as one of the most successful rappers and singers in the world. Now, he is putting that name on a football stadium.
The musician, who also goes by the nickname “Mr. 305” in a nod to his Miami roots, has bought the naming rights to Florida International University’s football stadium, not too far from where he grew up.
On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the FIU board approved a 5-year deal to change the name of the Miami-based university’s stadium from FIU Stadium to Pitbull Stadium.
The singer, whose real name is Armando Perez. will pay the school $1.2 million each year of the deal. Pitbull, who also goes by the title “Mr. Worldwide,” is making history as this will reportedly be the first collegiate facility in the world to be named after a musician.
“All we had to do like we say in Miami is take it to the house and that’s what we’ve done. What we’re doing here is groundbreaking. We’re making history. This is history in the making,” Pitbull said at a press conference. “You’re going to see that every other university is going to want to do the same thing. But the difference is, we don’t do this for propaganda, we do it from the heart. We do it because it’s meaningful. We do it because I’m from the crib. I’m 305. I’m from the bottom. This is my backyard. And when I say mine, it’s ours.”
As part of the deal, Pitbull will record an anthem for FIU and promote the school on social media. He’ll also get reserved suites for football games, use of the stadium 10 days each year, and his vodka brand will be sold at the stadium.
The name Pitbull Stadium could be around for a long time because Pitbull has the option to renew the naming rights agreement for an additional five years.
