Top 5 Pitbull memes cracking up the internet after $6 million FIU stadium's naming rights
The Florida Golden Panthers (FIU) have entered unprecedented waters by selling their stadium's naming rights to popular rapper Pitbull. The news was announced by ESPN analyst Pete Thamel on X.
The deal between the program and the rapper is unusual since it does not champion a particular corporate entity, but rather and individual. The famous rapper is a Miami native who grew up in South Florida and attended Miami Coral Park High School.
Pitbull will pay FIU $1.2 million a year for five years ($6 million total) and the stadium will be named 'Pitbull Stadium'.
This venture is one of many that the internationally renowned musician is involved in. He also co-owns Trackhouse Racing, which is a NASCAR Cup Series team, alongside stakes in Cilantro Taco Grill and Voli Vodka.
FIU athletics director Scott Carr showed his enthusiasm at the deal with a hearty post on X.
“Panther Nation,” Carr tweeted. “It’s a great day to make history!! LETS RIDE!! DALE!!”
College football fans on X had hilarious memes to share after the news of the Golden Panthers selling their naming rights to Pitbull.
FIU deal with Pitbull a massive boost to the Golden Panthers
The deal between Pitbull and the FIU Golden Panthers shows the direction that college sports is headed. This deal comes after a historic NCAA vs. House settlement that will see programs paying their student-athletes like employees.
The Golden Panthers receive only $800,000 annually from the Conference USA, showing that the stadium naming rights deal will be a huge windfall for them.
Pitbull, who also styles himself as 'Mr. 305', which is the area code of Miami, explained in a statement why the purchase was a good idea.
"For me, what it boils down to is, Miami is always known for being underdogs, no matter what we do and what level we take it to," Pitbull said. "... Being underdogs is what I always felt about FIU - fighting, clawing their way to just be seen, to be recognized whether it be from education, business, through sports.
"So, when this idea came about, it came about just like a Miami-Dade County, 305 idea would come about - nobody would believe in it. ... All we had to do was, just like we say in Miami, take it to the house."
The Golden Panthers have not had the best of last two seasons since getting rid of coach Butch Davis. He departed in acrimonious circumstances, accusing the school of not supporting the football team. The program then had an 8-16 record while being led by coach Mike McIntyre.
Fans will hope that the added investment and attention that their program will receive from being associated with Pitbull will have an effect on the results.