A pall of grief descended upon Florence and the Italian football world today after Fiorentina officially announced the death of its president and owner, the Italian-American billionaire Rocco Commisso, at the age of 76. This sad news came after Commisso's battle with illness, bringing to a close a remarkable era in the history of the Viola.
Club statement and farewell details
The club issued a moving statement mourning their captain, saying: “After a long period of medical treatment, our beloved president has passed away, and today we all mourn his loss.” The statement emphasized that football was not just an investment for Commisso, but a true passion, as Fiorentina had become an integral part of his life since he took over the club seven years ago, adding that “his love for Fiorentina was the greatest gift he ever gave himself.”.
From Calabria to the business summit in New York
To understand Commisso's impact, one must go back to his roots; he was born in the Calabria region of southern Italy and immigrated with his family to the United States at the age of twelve. Commisso embodied the story of the "American Dream" in its entirety, as he excelled in his studies and worked hard until he founded Mediacom, a New York-based company, in 1995. Mediacom became one of the giants of cable and telecommunications services in the United States, giving him the financial means to enter the world of sports investment with force.
His impact on football: from Cosmos to Serie A
Fiorentina wasn't Commisso's first foray into football; he previously owned the historic New York Cosmos and played a pivotal role in reforming and developing soccer in the United States. The American club mourned his passing, describing him as "a passionate leader who dedicated his life to the future of the sport." On the educational front, he remained loyal to his alma mater, Columbia University, which he generously supported financially, and whose soccer stadium bears his name in his honor.
The Fiorentina Era: Achievements and Challenges
Commisso took over Fiorentina in the summer of 2019, ending the Della Valle family's era. His tenure has been marked by significant investment, most notably the creation of the Viola Park, a world-class training center considered among the best in Europe, reflecting his long-term vision for developing the club's infrastructure.
On the sporting front, under his leadership, the team successfully regained its European prominence, reaching the UEFA Europa League final twice consecutively in 2023 and 2024, although they narrowly lost both titles. Commisso was also known for his outspoken personality and sharp criticism of Italian bureaucracy, particularly regarding the obstacles he faced in his attempts to build a new stadium for the club—an issue that sparked considerable controversy in Italian sporting and political circles.
Commisso leaves Fiorentina today at a delicate stage in terms of domestic results, but his legacy of financial stability and modern facilities will remain a landmark in the history of the Tuscan club.
