MIAMI – FIU Athletics and Miccosukee Casino & Resort announced on Wednesday an initial three-year partnership that unites two institutions with deep roots in South Florida, creating a platform to celebrate community, culture and shared growth while expanding the visibility and impact of both organizations.
 
As part of the agreement, Miccosukee Casino & Resort will become the inaugural jersey patch sponsor and appear on all FIU football, men's basketball, women's basketball and baseball jerseys, beginning immediately for the 2026-27 seasons.
 
Additionally, Miccosukee Casino & Resort – which does not offer sports wagering in its fleet of games – will serve as the presenting sponsor of FIU Football's 25th Anniversary Celebration throughout the 2026 season. The year-long campaign will commemorate the inaugural 2002 FIU football team – in which Miccosukee Casino & Resort was the presenting sponsor of the first-ever game on Aug. 29, 2002, a 27-3 Panther win over Saint Peter's.
 
"We are proud to partner with FIU Athletics and celebrate this important milestone for Panther football," said Brad Rhines, President and General Manager of Miccosukee Casino & Resort. "This partnership allows us to support an outstanding institution with deep roots in South Florida while creating new opportunities to connect with fans, families and the broader community."
 
Van Wagner, FIU Athletics' 3rd-party multimedia rights partner since 2016, helped facilitate the agreement and conceptualization of future opportunities to further the partnership in years to come.
 
Through storytelling initiatives, community engagement and collaborative programming, FIU Athletics will help showcase the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and Miccosukee Casino & Resort through multifaceted and immersive campaigns, while Miccosukee provides valuable resources, a golf and country club, education and unique cultural experiences to not only FIU student-athletes, but more than 350,000 FIU alumni, students and staff.
 
As part of the 25th Anniversary initiative, FIU Athletics and Miccosukee Casino & Resort have developed a co-branded commemorative logo and launched a dedicated retail storefront featuring exclusive anniversary products. Fans will also see Miccosukee branding prominently displayed on the field at Pitbull Stadium and throughout the concourses. Additional anniversary-themed activations, fan experiences and celebrations will be announced leading up to kickoff next month and continue throughout the season.
 
"This partnership is about much more than placing a logo on a jersey or a field," said FIU Director of Athletics Scott Carr. "It is about aligning with a community whose history, values and impact are woven into the fabric of South Florida. The Miccosukee Tribe has an incredible story of perseverance, cultural preservation and innovation. Through FIU Athletics, we are proud to help amplify their story and Miccosukee Casino & Resort, which importantly in today's collegiate landscape does not offer sports betting. Together, we will celebrate our shared community while creating meaningful opportunities that benefit both organizations for years to come."
 
The partnership also comes during an exciting period of growth for Miccosukee Casino & Resort. The resort recently broke ground on a transformational expansion project that includes a new waterpark and lazy river experience, enhanced dining options, expanded entertainment offerings, upgraded rooms and casino floor and additional guest amenities that will further establish the property as a premier destination in South Florida.
 
The Miccosukee's history, culture and enduring connection to the Everglades have shaped the story of South Florida for generations. The Miccosukee people have long served as stewards of the Everglades and have built a legacy centered on resilience, preservation and community. Their ancestral ties to the region and proximity to FIU's campus make the partnership a natural alignment between organizations dedicated to celebrating and advancing the communities they serve.
 
ABOUT MICCOSUKEE CASINO & RESORT
Miccosukee Casino & Resort, owned by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, is Miami's premier gaming and entertainment destination. Since opening the Miccosukee Indian Bingo Hall in 1990, the resort has grown to feature over 1,800 slot machines, 20 live-action poker tables, bingo, live entertainment, luxury accommodations and diverse dining options. Located at the edge of the Everglades, it offers world-class gaming, modern suites and exceptional amenities for guests across South Florida and beyond. For reservations, call 1-877-242-6464 or visit Miccosukee.com.
 
ABOUT FIU ATHLETICS
Pro Bowl wide receiver T.Y. Hilton caught touchdowns here. Olympic gold medalist Tayna Lawrence sprinted here. Major League All Star and World Series champion Mike Lowell swung for the fences here. Here, under the South Florida sun, is where more than 400 student-athletes compete in 17 Division-I sports as proud members of Conference USA and affiliate members of the American Conference in men's soccer and swimming and diving. FIU Athletics has produced nearly 130 All-Americans, 50 NCAA Tournament appearances and record-setting academic performances at a Top 50 preeminent public research university with more than 55,000 students. Get all the latest news, statistics and updates on FIU Athletics by visiting FIUSports.com, and engage with the Panthers on social media at X/Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Instagram (@FIUAthletics) and Facebook (@FIUAthletics).
 
ABOUT VAN WAGNER
Van Wagner is a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency, with global expertise in live events, sponsorship sales, multimedia rights and aerial advertising. Van Wagner creates, advises and sells on behalf of world-class teams, leagues, brands and properties. An innovator in the sports and media business, Van Wagner is a global leader in high-impact broadcast visible signage throughout the NCAA, MLB, NBA, and international soccer, as well as collegiate multimedia rights and in-venue content production at the world's biggest sporting events. For more information, visit www.vanwagner.com.