When it comes to football in the city of Miami, most college football fans would think of the historic Miami Hurricanes. However, fans of the FIU Panthers would argue that Florida International is the real public university of Miami, with the former being the ‘University of Coral Gables.’ Well, in an effort to establish itself as the official football program of the 305 (Miami’s area code), the school announced a partnership with Mr. 305 himself, Pitbull.
The partnership deal with the international superstar is headlined by the Panthers’s home stadium being renamed “Pitbull Stadium” for the next five years, but that’s not all. Pitbull will also be able to hold up to 10 events at the stadium, will have Pitbull-affiliated artists perform at games and he is expected to have a regular presence at the program’s games and events.
Though FIU football has struggled to compete in Conference USA and had a hard time getting fans into the stadium, this partnership could be the start of something great. It’s the first partnerhsip of its kind and could set the stage for other programs to follow suit.
Here’s what fans in Miami and across the country had to say about it.