The FHSAA is close to completing a deal to play football state championships at Pitbull Stadium

Soon it will be Road to Miami for the 2024 Florida high school football state championships as one of the worst kept secrets is in the final stages of becoming official.

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is nearing completion of an agreement to play football state championships at Florida International University’s recently renamed Pitbull Stadium, according to a board meeting held by the association on Monday.

“We are very close to signing a deal with FIU for football (state championships) 1A through 7A,” FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon said in the final several minutes of the meeting’s Day 2 session.

For the first time since the 2005 season, FIU’s Pitbull Stadium will be the home of the FHSAA state championships in December, which is being projected for the dates between December 12-14 down in South Florida.

Back in early August, the stadium’s naming rights were purchased by music artist Armando-Christian Pérez, famously known as Pitbull, in a $6-million agreement, which would include promotional activities along the way. Consider this as one big event checked off for Mr. 305 and the Panthers.

FIU Director of Athletics Scott Carr stated in a news release back in August that “Armando’s financial support is program-changing, but his providing a microphone to amplify FIU will be even more beneficial to growing our brand.” We are going to reach new heights with this relationship, which excites me beyond words. With officiality, we may now declare, “Paws Up, Dale!”