Was also involved in NY Cosmos
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The Italian first division club AC Fiorentina is mourning the loss of its owner: American businessman Rocco Commisso died after a long illness at the age of 76, according to a club statement from Friday to Saturday. The upcoming Fiorentina games, including the Serie A game on Sunday at Bologna FC (3 p.m.), are scheduled to take place. According to the club, this is what the Commisso family wanted.
The Italian-born founder of the US cable TV company Mediacom, Fiorentina’s main sponsor, took over the club in 2019. Since then there has been an upward trend in sport – until this season, in which we are fighting relegation. In 2024/25, the club from Tuscany achieved sixth place, their best placement since fifth place in 2016. In the Coppa Italia and Conference League, they made three final appearances in 2023 and 2024, but all of the games were lost. Commisso was also the owner of the former Beckenbauer and Pelé club New York Cosmos from 2017 to 2024 and continued to be a shareholder from 2025.
“His love for Fiorentina was the most beautiful gift he gave himself,” said an obituary on the Viola’s website. “He spent unforgettable days with the boys and girls of the youth teams and always had a smile and a loving gesture for everyone. He worked relentlessly until his last days and dedicated himself to his companies Mediacom and Fiorentina and their future.” The club grounds “Rocco B. Commisso Viola Park” should bear his name “forever”.
Unrest and strokes of fate at Fiorentina
There had been greater unrest at Fiorentina in recent months, which was attributed in the Italian media to the fact that Commisso had not been there for months. The fight against illness explained this absence. His Viola is playing against relegation this season; coach Stefano Pioli, who was brought back in the summer amid great media interest, had to leave after just 14 games. Sports director Daniele Pradè had previously resigned after six years in office, having previously been responsible for the departure of successful coach Raffaele Palladino due to disagreements. However, under Pioli’s successor Paolo Vanoli there has recently been an upward trend; the gap to the safe bank was only three points before the 21st matchday. In February, a new strong man, Fabio Paratici, was hired for management.
For Fiorentina, the death of its owner is the next emotional blow of fate. Captain Davide Astori died in 2018 at the age of just 31, Commisso confidant and managing director Joe Barone died in March 2024 at the age of 57. In addition, midfielder Edoardo Bove collapsed due to heart problems in December 2024. The 23-year-old has now had a defibrillator implanted and is therefore no longer allowed to play football in Italy. He will most likely continue his career at Watford FC in England after a one-year break.
