A couple weeks back, we thought we had a great idea that would change the way we name stadiums.
As usual, Pitbull had a better one.
Florida International University (that’s FIU) announced the new name of its football stadium this morning: Pitbull Stadium. That’s it. That’s the name of the stadium. Formerly known as FIU Community Stadium, Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium, Riccardo Silva Stadium, and FIU Stadium, the stadium will now be named after Pitbull. Why? Pitbull’s paying them six million dollars over the next five years.
University donors putting their names on buildings is nothing new. Even this stadium has been named after a person before. (Silva owned or owns part of Miami FC, who also uses the field.) Why is this different? First, because it’s a college football stadium. Usually, if those are named after a person, it’s to honor that person for something other than handing over cash. Second, it’s Pitbull. Pitbull!
From the New York Times:
Pitbull will also become the “official entrepreneur of FIU athletics” and be involved in name, image and likeness at FIU. He will create an FIU anthem and will get to use the stadium up to 10 days per year, along with two suites for all football games.
I wonder how these negotiations went. Was there competition? Did Shakira offer seven million but want the stadium twelve days per year? Did Jeff Bezos offer nine million but did FIU say no because Pitbull’s cooler?
Pitbull’s been on America’s radar for twenty years. Still, we somehow underestimate him. Pitbull buying part of a NASCAR team? Didn’t see it coming. Pitbull solving gender inequality by collaborating with Dolly Parton? Didn’t see it coming. Pitbull naming FIU’s stadium after himself? Didn’t see it coming. You can’t anticipate Pitbull’s next move. As far as official entrepreneurs of Division I athletic departments go, it’s hard to top FIU’s.
Etc.
- Per Jordan Bianchi and Evan Drellich, Major League Baseball will host a game at Bristol Motor Speedway next season between the Braves and the Reds. The announcement’s expected on Friday. The nice thing about Bristol is that it’s small enough you can fit fields inside of it. Remember when Virginia Tech and Tennessee played a football game there? I don’t know why, but I didn’t end up paying attention to that. Here’s a picture, in case you’re in the same boat. I know they won’t do this, but it would rock if they used turns three and four as part of the outfield, like the old hill in Houston. Just a suggestion.
- Cole Hocker, great American. Here’s his dad watching the end of the 1500-meter today. (Naomi Girma and Gabby Thomas, also great Americans.)
