Maybe Pitbull Could Buy the Naming Rights to Wells Fargo Center
International recording artist Pitbull has purchased the naming rights to Florida International’s football stadium, it was announced Tuesday.
The FIU board of trustees voted Tuesday to approve a five-year deal to give the name Pitbull Stadium to what’s currently known as FIU Stadium.
Pitbull will pay the school $1.2 million per year for five years, according to the documents tied to the vote. The rapper, singer and businessman, whose name is Armando Christian Perez, is also known as “Mr. 305” — a nod to Miami’s area code — and attended Miami Coral Park High School.
Pitbull Arena? Yeah why not? That’s a lot better than another milquetoast bank putting their name on a sporting venue. College football has largely avoided the corporatization of arena and stadium naming, instead giving the nod to the big family or individual donors instead, but in 2024 we do have examples like L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium (Louisville), which carried the Papa John’s name for 20 years. Syracuse now plays in the “JMA Wireless Dome” and the Terps in “SECU Stadium.”
You do wonder if Pitbull has some more cash to splash, because Wells Fargo is dropping naming rights from the South Philadelphia home of the Flyers and Sixers. We had previously suggested names like “The Stepford Fans Forum” and “Pukemon Pavilion,” but “Pitbull Center” could be a good one. The only music they’re allowed to play over the loudspeakers is Pitbull, but if that spares us another banal bank name, then que no pare la fiesta, don’t stop the party.