Futbol Mundial.-Rocco Commisso, a prominent businessman in New York and the outspoken owner of Italian soccer club Fiorentina, has died at the age of 76. His passing was confirmed early Saturday by both Fiorentina and Mediacom Communications, the cable television company he led for decades.
Neither organization disclosed the cause of death, though Fiorentina noted that Commisso had undergone an extended period of medical treatment.
“After a long battle with illness, our president has left us,” Fiorentina said in a statement. “His bond with this club was profound, and his passion for Fiorentina defined his final years.”
Born in Calabria, Italy, Commisso immigrated to the United States at age 12 and went on to build one of the largest cable companies in the country. Under his leadership, Mediacom became a major player in the U.S. telecommunications industry, particularly in underserved rural markets.
In 2019, Commisso purchased Fiorentina, rescuing the historic club from financial uncertainty. During his tenure, he became known for his candid criticism of Italian soccer governance, especially regarding bureaucratic obstacles and the country’s struggles to modernize stadium infrastructure.
Beyond Fiorentina, Commisso was also the owner of the New York Cosmos and a lifelong advocate for the growth of soccer in the United States. He played collegiately at Columbia University, where his philanthropic contributions left a lasting mark. The university’s soccer stadium bears his name.
The New York Cosmos described him as “a passionate leader who believed deeply in the power of soccer to build community and inspire future generations.”
On the field, Fiorentina reached the UEFA Conference League finals in 2023 and 2024 under Commisso’s ownership, though the club has struggled in the current Serie A campaign and sits in the relegation zone.
Commisso is survived by his wife, Catherine, and their two children, Giuseppe and Marisa.
